I Am Your Sister

"I Am Your Sister" is a photo essay exhibit by Ana Agüero Jahannes, photographer and interdisciplinary artist, known in the arts community as "Hamaje." The exhibit includes 18" by 24" color photographs of regal women of color in elegant headpieces and other body adornments designed by Jahannes that draw on many rich histories of cultural pride. Jahannes says, "While each queen maintains her own glorious uniqueness, altogether they embody a large community of intersecting identities that share perspectives in the struggles against patriarchy, heterosexism, homophobia, racism and other forms of oppression." The title of the exhibit comes from an essay by Black lesbian writer, Audre Lorde; it is a declaration of sisterhood across all our varied intricacies. Jahannes adds, "We don’t have energy to waste on negativity. Our barriers lie not in our differences, but in our willingness to see our common struggles, and ourselves in each other." "I Am Your Sister" joins a larger movement of women of color who are active participants in organizing to create a world where our differences are our strengths.

Publicity for "I Am Your Sister"