Artist celebrates black women by turning portraits into stunning artworks

Pierre Jean-Louis is a New York-based artist that uses his work to celebrate the beauty of black women’s hair by turning natural photographs of women into somewhat magical pieces of artwork. Through skilful editing and creativity via photography editing app Enlight, Jean-Louis is able to take an ordinary portrait and make it vibrant, colourful and beautiful. The artist started to create this style of work after being inspired by black women embracing their natural hair and appreciating their natural features.

We as a society are encapsulated within new trends, always wanting to be up-to-date with beauty and fashion, or even wanting to follow in the facial and fashion footsteps of the celebrities we admire. However, recently, we are starting to learn how to appreciate our natural features and how to enjoy them. Pierre Jean-Louis reinforces this through his artwork by changing the stigma that is attached around beauty.

Jean-Louis believes that as beings, no matter what age, gender or ethnicity, we are all independent, different and beautiful. Following this ideology, Jean-Louis intends to continue painting women and those that inspire him daily. Through his art, he allows each woman to let go of any insecurity she may have, enabling her to fully appreciate herself.

Ramnique Thiara
Photos: Courtesy of Pierre Jean-Louis

View more of Pierre Jean-Louis’ work here.