In Her Own Words

Solange’s style transcends trends. Her art transcends time. Her boundless pride sets the table for a new conversation on blackness, on womanhood and on hair that can’t be touched.

- Thelma Golden, Elaine Welteroth

No matter what era she was born in or what medium she chose, Solange, 33, would have been an astounding artist. Why? Because she is – proudly and powerfully – her unique self. I believe that’s the principal quality of great artists: owning and embracing one’s vision, voice and perspective, and believing that putting your voice out in the world is a profound and important act.

I’m deeply moved by the pride Solange so clearly takes in her beautiful sonic and visual creations that take popular music to an incredible level of artistry. The combined effect of her multidisciplinary storytelling – often created in collaboration with a beautifully diverse group of artists and creators – and her very presence in the world transcends trends. A woman and artist supreme, her creative output is truly timeless and endlessly empowering.

Solange engages with and reflects so many cultural icons, from visual artists like Adrian Piper, Lorna Simpson, Kara Walker and Carrie Mae Weems to literary heroes including Maya Angelou, Audre Lorde, Toni Morrison, Ntozake Shange and Alice Walker.

Like them, Solange represents in her work the story of black life yesterday, today and tomorrow, and the indomitable spirit of black women. In a culture that has often defined beauty so narrowly and placed so many limitations on possibility, she shows us that we need not accept others’ projections of who we are. Instead, we should boldly exist as the creations of our own powerful imaginations, redefining beauty and possibility without limits, knowing and loving who we are.

“A LETTER TO MY TEENAGE SELF”