Who do we view as sacred?

 

The stories we inherit shape how we see ourselves, each other, and the divine.

Much of my work has explored Blackness and divinity, rooted in the importance of

seeing yourself reflected in the sacred. As a Black woman, I have often wondered

how our understanding of our own worth might change if the religious imagery

around us reflected more of who we are.

The Divine Feminine grows from that question, exploring goddesses, sacred

women, mythology, and spiritual traditions across cultures and time. I’m drawn to

these figures as creators, protectors, healers, and sources of wisdom. Their stories

offer space to explore the beauty, complexity, strength, and duality of womanhood.

When we think of God, who or what do we picture? How much of that image have

we inherited, and what might we discover by looking beyond what is familiar?

Through these paintings, I hope to widen our imagination of the divine and invite

reflection on the stories that have shaped it. The traditions many of us know are

part of a much larger human story, with many ways of understanding and

expressing the sacred.

For anyone who has struggled to see themselves within that story, I hope these

paintings offer a sense of belonging. I hope to leave you seeing more beauty,

wisdom, and divinity within yourself.

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- Melissa Tshikamba