Aretha Williams
Aretha Williams is an Afrofuturist photographer and digital artist dedicated to uplifting the ways of the Matriarch, illuminating the unseen, and inspiring bold nonviolent acts to create equality, uphold democracy, heal misogynoir, and celebrate the power and beauty of Black and Indigenous womanhood. When you bring one of these prints into your space, you are amplifying this prayer. Aretha can be contacted for opportunities and requests at ContactAretha@protonmail.com. May you be blessed. Mitakuye Oyasin. All My Relations (Lakota).
Electronic images
Gathering at the Falls
An Indigenous woman walks in her power at the Gathering at the Falls, Washington State,Traditional Spokane Tribal Homeland, 2018
More about this photo: https://www.arethawilliams.com/
Goddess at Work
Ozwald Boateng Womenswear Debut Fashion Show, Apollo Theater, Harlem, New York, Lenape/Wappinger Tribal Homeland, 2019.
More about this photo: https://www.arethawilliams.com/
Illegitimate
In the wake of the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, The People gather to protest Donald Xrump at the White House in Black Lives Matter Plaza, Washington D.C., Piscataway Homeland, 2020
More about this photo: https://www.arethawilliams.com/
Mother of Worlds
A Black goddess carries a cherry blossom from the National Arboretum in her teeth and prayers for the earth in her heart, Washington, D.C. Piscataway Tribal Homeland, 2020
When Hannah Beachler, Oscar-winning African American Production Designer for The Black Panther, Lemonade, and Moonlight shared with me that she looks up at the stars every night to remind herself of her own power, I was inspired to take this portrait in honor of Ms. Beachler's groundbreaking work crafting the visual world of so many game changing films. I dedicate it to her and to her sister in creation Queen Beyoncé. When Ms. Beachler liked the image on Twitter, I saw it as the universe confirming that a place is being made for my unique vision. The world is so desperately calling out for healing and it is clear to me that the time for the normally suppressed wisdom of the Black Matriarchs has come once again. This photograph is a celebration of the world opening to the precious points of view held by Black women who carry on the wisdom traditions of our mothers who gave birth to the human race in Africa. #ThankBlackWomen #PayBlackWomen #ListentoBlackWomen #BlackWomenAreSaving America
More about this photo: https://www.arethawilliams.com/