Capturing the Essence: Photographer Chronicles True Lives of Black Women

Nona Faustine: A Legacy of Unveiling Black Women’s Truths Through Photography

By Archyde News Team | March 22, 2025

The art world mourns the loss of Nona faustine, a Brooklyn-born photographer whose powerful imagery served as a poignant commentary on the Black female experience. Faustine passed away at the age of 48, leaving behind a body of work that challenges perceptions and celebrates the resilience of Black women. Her passing was confirmed by the Brooklyn Museum, which showcased her work in a solo exhibition in 2024. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Faustine’s work was characterized by both its raw emotion and its artistic beauty. She fearlessly explored the historical and contemporary challenges faced by Black women, frequently enough using her own body as a canvas to depict narratives of exploitation and empowerment. Her lens captured the strength, beauty, and unwavering spirit of a community too frequently enough marginalized and unseen.

Faustine articulated the core of her artistic mission in a 2024 interview with Carla J. Williams in BOMB magazine: The true lives of Black women in the United states, if not in the world, are not seen. I wanted to show our lives and who we are. We are very special. Not just because of our suffering but because of our beauty and strength. The reinvention and the creativity that oozes out. The bravery.

“White Shoes”: Confronting History on its Own Ground

Faustine’s most renowned series, “White Shoes,” stands as a testament to her commitment to confronting uncomfortable truths. This series involved Faustine photographing herself at historical sites in New York City connected to the history of slavery. The stark contrast of her nude figure, adorned only with white pumps, against the backdrop of these locations, created a jarring visual that forced viewers to confront the legacy of slavery in the very spaces where it onc thrived. One particularly striking image featured Faustine at the intersection of 74 Wall street, a site where enslaved people were once auctioned.

The creation of these images was not without its challenges. Faustine recounted the logistical and emotional hurdles she faced,telling Musée in 2021: Putting myself out there in the middle of the intersection at Wall Street with ongoing traffic was a huge risk. She explained that she needed the support of friends to ensure her safety and to avoid unwanted attention from law enforcement, often enduring freezing temperatures during the process. This dedication to her craft underscores her unwavering commitment to bringing these stories to light, regardless of the personal cost.

The “White Shoes” series, which Faustine began in 2012, culminated in her first institutional show at the Brooklyn museum in 2024. The inspiration for the series stemmed from her research into Sarah Baartman, a South African Khoikhoi woman who was cruelly exhibited as a “freak show” attraction in 19th-century Europe. Baartman’s story became a catalyst for Faustine’s exploration of the dehumanization and objectification of Black women throughout history.

The white shoes themselves carry profound symbolic weight. as Pamela Sneed articulated in 4Columns in 2024: They represent what Black women have been denied publicly and privately. Because of racism, misogyny, and more, what is often denied is agency. Faustine, in control of the camera and the lens, offers reclamation. The shoes, thus, become a visual portrayal of the agency and power that Black women have historically been denied, and Faustine’s work serves as a reclamation of that power.

Beyond “White Shoes”: A Broader Exploration of Identity and History

While “White Shoes” might potentially be her most recognized work, Faustine’s artistic vision extended far beyond this series. her work delved into themes of family, memory, and the complexities of American history. Her series,”Mitochondria,” begun in 2008,served as a heartfelt tribute to the women in her family,capturing intimate portraits of her mother,sister,and daughter. She told Lens, the New York Times’s photography blog, I wanted to give my daughter the same gift my father gave me: a visual diary. As a single mother, I wanted her to see how much she was loved.This series highlights the deeply personal nature of her work and her desire to connect with and celebrate the women who shaped her life.

In her 2016 work, Say Her Name, Faustine addressed the issue of police brutality against Black women. She photographed herself lying down in her family’s Flatbush apartment, posed as though she were deceased, in a powerful tribute to Sandra Bland, who died in police custody in 2015. This piece underscores Faustine’s commitment to using her art as a form of social commentary and a means of raising awareness about critical issues facing the black community. This action resonates with the broader #SayHerName movement which seeks to bring awareness to black female victims of police brutality and violence.

Faustine also created a series of photographs featuring iconic American landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Lincoln memorial, partially obscured by bars.This work served as a critique of American history, highlighting the ways in which narratives are constructed and manipulated to exclude certain voices and perspectives. She once said that she was exploring how history is turned around. What is left out, what is included, what are the lies. And, who gets celebrated.

Recent Explorations in Rome

before her passing, faustine completed a fellowship with the American Academy in Rome, where she explored the African presence in ancient Rome through landscapes and self-portraits. Accompanied by her daughter, Queen, Faustine immersed herself in the city’s rich history and culture.

“It is indeed a wonder to see all of present-day Rome—contemporary, modern, and ancient—peeking underneath the surface everywhere,” she said, reflecting on her experience. “What it could have been and who was there.”

The Enduring Impact of Nona Faustine

Nona Faustine’s work has left an indelible mark on the art world and beyond. Her unflinching gaze, her willingness to confront arduous truths, and her commitment to celebrating the lives of Black women have inspired countless individuals. Her legacy will continue to resonate for generations to come.

How do you see Nona Faustine’s “White Shoes” series challenging customary notions of beauty and representation in art?

Nona Faustine’s Powerful Photographs: An Interview with Dr.Evelyn Reed

By Archyde News | March 22, 2025

Archyde News: dr.Reed, thank you for joining us today. Nona Faustine’s work has profoundly impacted the art world. As a leading art historian specializing in African American art, what is your assessment of Faustine’s legacy?

Dr. Evelyn Reed: It’s an honor to discuss Nona Faustine. Her legacy is one of profound courage and unflinching truth-telling. She fearlessly used her lens to explore the complexities of Black womanhood, identity, and history. Her passing is a great loss, but her work will continue to resonate powerfully.

“White Shoes” and Confronting Arduous Histories

Archyde News: Let’s discuss her “white Shoes” series, perhaps her most iconic. Can you elaborate on the significance of this work, especially its power in forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about slavery?

Dr. Evelyn Reed: The “White Shoes” series is incredibly powerful. The stark contrast of her nude figure, adorned only with white pumps, against the backdrop of historical sites linked to slavery is deliberately jarring. It forces viewers to acknowledge the brutal legacy of slavery, not just as a historical event, but as one that continues to shape our present. The white shoes themselves become a potent symbol of agency and the reclamation of power that Black women have been denied.

Archyde News: The series’ creation must have presented significant challenges. Faustine mentioned the logistical and emotional hurdles. How does her dedication to the work’s demanding nature enhance the meaning?

Dr. Evelyn Reed: Absolutely. The risks she took, the exposure to the elements, and the emotional labor involved in creating those images underscore her deep commitment to the project and its message. Her vulnerability adds another layer of impact for this project, a type of courage that translates into truthfulness, for the overall series.

Beyond “White Shoes”: Exploring Identity and Memory

Archyde News: Beyond “White Shoes”, Faustine tackled many topics in her art. How would you describe the range of her explorations of identity and history?

dr. Evelyn Reed: Her work went beyond the “White Shoes” series to delve deeper into identity, family, and memory. Her series “Mitochondria” is a lovely tribute to the women in her family. In “Say her Name,” she used her art as social commentary, bringing awareness to police brutality against Black women. Then, she challenged narratives surrounding iconic American landmarks. This broad exploration highlights her versatility and her unwavering desire to address and confront pivotal moments in our collective history.

archyde News: What influence did Faustine’s exploration of the Black female experience have on other artists and the art world as a whole?

Dr. Evelyn Reed: Her willingness to challenge norms and to use her body as a means of storytelling opened the door for other artists to explore similar themes. She inspired many, by challenging the status quo and bringing the experiences of Black women into the forefront. Her work undoubtedly broadened the scope of representation within the art world.

Faustine’s Impact on Today’s World

Archyde News: Faustine concluded a fellowship in Rome, capturing the African presence in ancient Rome prior to her passing. Do you believe this particular viewpoint, from a distant historical lens, will influence future generations?

Dr. Evelyn Reed: Absolutely. It’s clear she was deeply impacted by her experience. In her art, she explored how history is written, who gets to tell the story, and what is omitted. This approach to art encourages viewers to question the narratives they are presented and to seek a fuller, more inclusive understanding of the past, as the past impacts the present.

Archyde News: Dr. Reed, what do you hope audiences will take away from Nona Faustine’s work in this current climate?

Dr. Evelyn Reed: I hope audiences are moved to consider how we grapple with our history. I would love to consider what Nona would have said today, and how her legacy continues to resonate and push boundaries. What do you, our readers, feel Nona Faustine’s photographs say to the world today? Her bravery and her art are a call to action, to remember and to continue to fight for a more just and equitable world.

Archyde News: Dr.Reed, thank you for sharing your insightful perspective. It has been a pleasure.

Dr. Evelyn reed: The pleasure was all mine.