Description of Work

Space Queen Funko Pops - 2022 - Foil, Clay, Plastic, Acrylic - $50/Each

Space Queens - 2022 - Posterboard - $100/each poster

Space Queens Trading Cards - 2022 - Cardstock - $50/Each

Space Queen Pins - 2022 - Metal/plastic - NFS

Space Queen Stickers - 2022 - Sticker paper - NFS

Artist's Statement

According to the Oxford Dictionary, Afrofuturism is a word that describes a movement in literature, music, art featuring futuristic or science fiction themes that incorporate elements of black history and culture. It allows black people, creativity, and culture to be displayed in a Sci-fi and futuristic image. There is an underrepresentation of Black people’s identity, joy, excellence, and imagination. Afrofuturism changes that. Black people have dreams and will always be here. So as a black woman myself, I took inspiration from artists in music, digital art, fashion, movies, design, comic books, and literature to lead me to the idea of having my superheroes come to life. As a child, I felt like I had to like Storm or Bumblebee because they were one of few Black women superheroes that were powerful and reminded me of myself.

To challenge this idea, I created these Queens for more variety. My group of 5 are black women with powers that fight aliens in space. The team’s name is Space Queens. Their names are Eclipse, who has a skin condition called “vitiligo”. She also planet absorbing powers. Blazen the a hot headed one with fire powers from the planet Venus. She can also change into different fire aliens. Sirius is the leader of the group, with the sun powers, and hieroglyph powers that allow her to use ancient Egyptian spells. Vibe has the mohawk. She is blind with powers that come from her music. Last but not least is M.I.S.S. (Master Intelligent Soul Sista), the group’s intelligent cyborg. Together they give the younger generation even more superheroes to look up to instead of just a select few. Space Queens has different skin colors, abilities, and personalities, and they can offer more variety in the sci-fi world.

Altogether, I have provided multiple posters of these characters to show these girls together and individually. In addition, I have hand-painted Funko Pops, stickers, pins, and even mini trading cards about them. In this way, people can interact with my creations, wear them, give support, and feel open to showing this idea of representation everywhere. To me, these women I created represent strength, beauty, variation, and my imagination.

If you wish to purchase any of these pieces, please contact the gallery director, Jacqueline Nathan (jnathan@bgsu.edu.)