Empowering Figures

Ayana Ross, winner of the second Bennett Prize, explores the themes of race and identity in her paintings.

- ROCHELLE BELSITO

Looking at Ayana Ross’ paintings it is clear she is a storyteller. Each work has a strong point of view felt through the subjects, composition, and her individual style. The works are personal for the Georgia-based artist who uses her experiences and background to compose important and timely narratives. “I like to read a lot and think a lot about context—why things are the way they are and how did we get to this point,” says Ross. “A lot of times I go back to my origins, my experiences, and my roots and I pull from there.”

The figure is the primary vessel in her paintings, and it came naturally for Ross who began her career as a fashion designer before transitioning to education and then fine art. “I’ve always drawn people, since childhood, and in particular I’ve drawn women,” Ross explains. “I gravitate to the human figure because when I wanted to say something that was the first thing that I knew I could use to say it…That was the language for when I wanted to convey a message.”