CARMELA WILKINS

VISUAL DESIGNER

“Through visual and written outputs, this project aims to archive the narratives of black women historically entrapped in service positions by exploring the relationship between female house slaves and the master's household where she provides nourishment. In the consumption of her bodywork, the enslaved black woman is forced to establish a sense of identity, a presence that has embedded itself in modern-day American foodscapes. The book cover was hand-lettered alongside and the book and pages were made by hand.”

BLACK & INQUISITIVE

“I am in constant friendly competition with my past selves, learning and absorbing as much as I can within this lifetime, sometimes to a fault. This is how I acknowledge that there is still work to do: within myself, for people who look like me, and for others of different marginalized identities where we’re most susceptible to environmental injustice and degradation. An issue area constantly reflected in my work. And yet, I stress the equal importance of rewarding myself with rest to continue to do good work not meant solely for aesthetic consumption but with intent for social impact.”