Ayana V. Jackson, Adelita: She was not only Brave she was Beautiful, 2023. Courtesy of the artist and Mariane Ibrahim.
The heiress of the great abolitionist leader who rebels against the slavery narrative: "The white man's supreme ideal is just a myth"
Ayana V. Jackson, a New Jersey-born photographer, uses her art to trace and reclaim the racial and genealogical history of her family. For over two decades, her work has focused on the African diaspora and the lasting effects of colonialism, seeking to remove imposed meanings and reframe Black identity through a personal and historical lens. Her lineage connects her to prominent abolitionist William Still, her grandfather who endured Jim Crow segregation, and her father, a Black Power activist—experiences that shape her creative perspective. Educated at Spelman College, Jackson draws from a rich legacy of African American resilience and cultural expression.
Her first solo exhibition in Europe, Nosce Te Ipsum: Membrum Fantasma, is currently on view at Spain’s National Museum of Anthropology as part of the PHotoEspaña festival. The show explores the representation of Afro-Latin women, particularly in colonial contexts, and challenges traditional portrayals of Black women. With the museum undergoing a decolonization process in celebration of its 150th anniversary, Jackson’s work resonates deeply, offering a powerful reflection on history, identity, and the ongoing redefinition of cultural narratives.
Excerpted words written by Pablo R. Roces for El Mundo.
