Cj Priester is an African-American artist and educator born and raised in Brooklyn. She received a formal education in fine art from the Fashion Institute of Technology and Long Island University (Brooklyn). Her eccentric work blends aspects of abstraction and collage with Afrocentric realism. Her art is centered around themes of self-exploration, and what it means to be a Black woman in America. Her work focuses on accentuating the lips and noses of African American women, while amalgamating parts of their bodies with elements of nature. In a recent interview Cj stated, “Much of my work is dedicated to revealing the beauty and power of Black women. I used the word ‘reveal’ because Black women are not only underrepresented in art but also misunderstood in American society. As Black women, we have to journey to discover our worth and strive to make our mark. My art is part of that journey. This is why everything I create is done with the intent to present Black women in a different light.”

Enjoy a few of her works below and make sure to follow her on Instagram.