Art Grad - Antonia Rodriguez

My approach to photography is based on my own personal experience as a biracial woman living
in America. I aim to critique society for its shortcomings in hopes of preventing lasting damage.
My current work has many layers, one side speaks on Eurocentric beauty standards and how those
standards have lasting effects on people of color, specifically Black people, while another side of
my works highlights the sociopolitical and the simplest moments in everyday Black and Brown
life like: community, love, family and hair. My approach to having multiple layers in my work is
for the viewers who may not resonate with one side but can potentially, resonate with another.
Although my work is primarily based on my experiences, the hope is that the viewer develops a
sense of appreciation and hopefully familiarity. I want the viewers to sit with these moments, in
spite of the pain there is beauty in the simple moments alone and together.
Hair plays a big part in my work; I photograph commonly used products and objects
manufactured by the beauty industry to limit Black people’s options thus pushing the Eurocentric
agenda. I assist in ‘take-downs’ with my family members and ask them about their experiences
with their hair. Hair is the core in Black culture and the core in my life. My hair is my identity,
the symbol of my resistance and the root of my creativity. Fighting against society's standard of
beauty is what I want to achieve in this body of work.