Laetitia Ky

Courtesy of the artist to CNN.

The biggest travesty from the aftermath of living in a white colonialist conditioned world still remains the validation of Black women’s beauty, often ridiculed and demeaned, especially dark brown skin, distinctive features, and naturally textured hair (there are laws banning Afros, locs, braids, and in between). Thus, an up and coming Black woman artist defies the rules of beauty by putting natural hair up front and center stage.

Courtesy of the artist to Hype Bae.

Laetitia Ky (1996) was born in Abjidan, Côte d'Ivoire, an avid lover of hair, growing up with the task of resident family hairdresser.

“There’s so much to say on the topic as I am a Black woman with afro hair, which is poorly perceived in a lot of places,” she says to Face 2 Face Africa.

Courtesy of the artist to artnet.

Courtesy of the artist to artnet.

Courtesy of the artist to Hype Bae.

Self portraiture is one of art history’s most fascinating representations— artists controlling interpretations of themselves, offering the viewer a formal insight into their psychological, emotional, and mental state of mind. Laetitia knows all the tricks, remixing their tools to her own liking. Her activated performance meets sculpture and documental photography are elaborate schemes meant to promote healthy images of Black women’s undeniable beauty, political awareness, and social consciousness— while using her body and hair as subject. These images are brave, candid, whimsical, evocatively representing today’s modern woman in Africa, how her very presence charges into the compositional planes, belonging and thriving. She uses her mind, asks the right questions, and often stares out at the watcher with intelligence or a mysterious smile.

Courtesy of the artist to CNN.

Laetitia’s inspirations lie in African Ankara fabrics and the culturally significant history of Black women’s hair from the continent to beyond. Whether she is weaponizing her long, thick locs or creating humorous animal profiles or advocating for women’s reproductive rights, she is a dynamic force armed with knowledge, wire, and a camera, determined to shine light on the current issues affecting the world today.

Courtesy of the artist to CNN.

Courtesy of the artist to artnet.

Laetitia continues making moves in art world spaces. She has amassed a large social media following and features in Okay Africa, artnews, Dazed Magazine, CNN, and countless other publications across the globe.