Artwork Breakdown by Kenniz Design

"Echoes of Identity" is a bold, expressive visual that speaks volumes about cultural pride, memory, and personal connection to heritage. It doesn’t just depict a person, it reflects a story that many can relate to: the journey of understanding who we are through where we come from.

The Silhouette – The Universal Self

At the center is a dark, faceless figure with a sharp, high-top headpiece, a stylized silhouette that strips away individual features to reflect a collective identity. It represents not just one person, but every person of African descent navigating the tension between modern expression and ancestral roots.

The Head – Carved Symbols of Culture

The head is adorned with repeated white motifs that resemble cowrie shells or seeds, ancient symbols of wealth, wisdom, and connection. These aren’t just ornaments; they are **echoes, **whispers from the past reminding the viewer that culture is more than aesthetic. It’s knowledge, spirituality, and inherited strength etched into our very being.

The Robe – Loud with Lineage

The figure’s robe blazes in bright red and orange, layered with striking tribal patterns that pulse with life. It suggests boldness, visibility, and unapologetic pride. The message? Identity isn’t something to hide or water down, it’s something to wear out loud.

The Background – Layers of Influence

The setting is rich with meaning:

The yellow dotted halo suggests spiritual depth, like a sun of ancestral presence radiating behind the figure.
The black-and-white spiral on the right evokes the idea of time and memory, how identity is shaped by the past.
The purple wave on the left introduces movement, fluidity, and artistic expression, a nod to the evolving nature of cultural identity.

The Deeper Meaning

“Echoes of Identity” challenges viewers to listen, not just to the present noise, but to the echoes within. The echoes of language, rhythm, art, and struggle. It reminds us that identity is not static. It’s an evolving echo repeating, reshaping, and returning in every generation.