Studio Artwork Significant Autumn Pointe ‘24 Uses Her Craft to Embrace Her HAIRitage
Feb 27, 2024
By Queens University Communications
A North Carolina native, Autumn Pointe ‘24 took after her father with the creativity and passion for artwork that she exhibited at a youthful age. As the Queens College senior prepares to graduate with a studio artwork key and minors in art heritage and arts management and administration, her capstone job celebrates her identification and lived knowledge as a Black lady by means of the lens of her crown.
“My concept for my capstone seeks to talk my expertise via self-portraits and the significance of my hair,” reported Pointe. “The challenge will incorporate up to 15 pieces that will be introduced as portion of the senior arts showcase at Queens.”
Every single one particular of Pointe’s oil paintings showcase a distinctive hair design and style and have symbolism woven in as a result of her posture and other stylistic factors in the imagery. Though the senior is making a splash with a bold and imaginative capstone concept, her street to Queens was uncharted.
“As a 1st-technology student, both of my parents went to higher education, but in no way graduated,” mentioned Pointe. “I am so grateful that they have normally supported me in the pursuit of my desires.”
As a high school senior, Pointe understood that she desired to attend college or university for studio artwork.
“I toured Queens right as COVID strike. I arrived in late March and college students experienced by now moved out,” she stated. “I liked the campus and realized I needed to be in Charlotte. What really solidified my decision was when I satisfied President Lugo throughout my pay a visit to. Realizing I had help as a to start with-era student from just about every stage of the Queens administration gave me and my dad and mom so a great deal consolation.”
Given that coming to Queens, Pointe has flourished with her on-campus involvement. As President of the Tau Beta Chapter at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. at Queens, she has liked major outreach and sisterhood events. She is grateful for the neighborhood she has located on campus.
A single of the most notable activities Pointe will have with her was having an arts and society course via the John Belk Global Program that culminated in a faculty-led journey to Florence, Italy.
“I had flown domestically a couple situations in this article and there, but this vacation was my 1st ever overseas knowledge,” she explained. “I was so anxious to travel without my household, but it was the most awesome opportunity. Seeing the record and outstanding artwork that I had studied for so a lot of several years in individual was a surreal minute.”
Pointe cites Amy Sherald as a huge influence and Sherald’s use of a minimal palette, which she is also employing for her capstone task. Sherald’s portrait of Michelle Obama features stylistic inspiration to her for her have self-portraiture.
“Another impact of mine is Kehinde Wiley, a effectively-known artist who locations black topics in historic scenes,” said Pointe. “His backgrounds usually present intricate styles with cultural importance.”
As she considers the legacy she hopes to go away at the rear of at Queens immediately after commencement, Pointe shares about her the adhering to sentiments.
“I hope that persons will see me in a additional authentic way through my capstone challenge,” reported Pointe. “Many of my professors and fellow students know me to be really reserved, so I am energized for them to get a further search at who I am.”
Throughout Black Record Month, she reflects on her individual id and inspiration.
“Many Black ladies start off to change their normal hair pattern from a younger age. Considering the fact that superior school, I have been on a journey of embracing my all-natural hair. It has surely assisted me to link far more to my ancestors and tradition and increase previously mentioned the societal expectations all-around me. My hair is my crown and is this kind of a large component of who I am.”
