Apologies need to be as loud as the disrespect. Let them call you Bitter all they want when you don’t deliver forgiveness according to their convenience.

“Bitter” was formulated after months of therapy regarding a broken relationship with a family member and the pressure from others to forgive without a discussion on how future harm could be prevented. A common theme in said pressure was concern over my becoming “bitter” by allowing the refusal to forgive consume me. This work came about as a means to channel the frustration I and so many others have felt when demanding a modicum of respect and facing obstacles to do so; to let go of the fears of what others may label you with and to stand firm in your standards for how others treat you.

“Bitter” was created using full-body acrylic on a 18” x 24” gallery-wrapped canvas. It features a Black woman with her middle fingers raised and tongue out. She sports bantu knots with hair charms, lemon slice earrings. The background features a pattern of lemons.

Original currently unavailable for purchase.