Deun Ivory Puts Black Women Aesthetic In The Forefront

Deun Ivory is a Chicago-based creative and multidisciplinary artist that works to celebrate Black women excellence through photography, illustration, and writing. Formerly an art and English teacher, Ivory is the art director for Lauren Ash‘s Black Girl in Om and cofounder of the social affirmation brand Lifestyle with Ivory + Ash. Her first book Black Women and Good Grain is a photojournal showcasing women of color through imagery, poetry, and letters of affirmation.

“Through my photography, I can provide visibility. I’m putting Black women at the forefront of a gorgeous aesthetic, because a lot of times, you don’t see that.”

Her concern is not only about women of color being marginalised in mainstream media, but also unequal pay for Black women. She feels that art like hers isn’t as financially valued as work by her male counterparts. As a WOC, Deun Ivory wants to remind people that WOC need to consistently affirm each other through words, think pieces, events, and works that resonate with their community.

A post shared by deun (dee • yawn) ivory (@deunivory)

Right now, she’s working on projects such as The Body: A Home For Love, which centres healing through visual storytelling and dialogue around sexual trauma and the black female body. There was a pop-up event in LA just last weekend where she held a talk to motivate wellness for WOC.

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