Why I Became a Collector of Black Portrait Art – Seeing Myself.
When I thought about what I wanted to celebrate this International Women’s Month, I immediately knew—it had to be a tribute to the incredible Black women artists who have allowed me to truly see myself in art. I’ve been collecting Black portrait art for over 30 years, and it has always been a conscious decision to invest in work that reflects me.
Growing up in the UK in the 70s and 80s in a Caribbean household, I was surrounded by family photographs and constant affirmations of my dual heritage. Being born to Jamaican and St. Lucian parents was a source of pride—something special. But outside my home, the world minimized my existence. Schools, the media, and society reduced Black history to slavery, erasing the richness of our culture.
I craved representation, so I devoured books by Black women authors—Caribbean writers like Jamaica Kincaid, Edwidge Danticat, Paule Marshall, and Merle Collins. I longed for a heritage that wasn’t reflected beyond my front door. So, when I became interested in art, Black portraiture became my medium of choice. I began collecting work from Black women artists, filling my walls with reflections of myself. If I was going to live with art, it had to honor me.
That’s why I was drawn to the work of Sharon Walters and Yvadney Davis—both, like me, born in the UK but of Caribbean heritage. Their art provides a deep interconnection between Blackness, womanhood, and identity.
Seeing Ourselves in Sharon Walters’ Art
Sharon Walters’ series Seeing Ourselves is an exploration of identity, beauty standards, and race through intricate papercut collages. She speaks about the importance of Black women seeing themselves reflected in art, and I love how she presents us in all our complexity and diversity.
I’ve attended several of Sharon’s exhibitions and witnessed firsthand how deeply her work resonates. Just a few days ago, a woman approached me at one of her shows and said how moved she had been by a particular piece—“It felt like I was seeing me.”
Sharon Walters
Recently, I loaned one of Sharon’s newest works—created from a vintage postcard in the McKinley collection of African photography. She highlighted two women using pastels, making them stand out. I loved it so much that it’s now a permanent part of my collection.
Yvadney Davis: A Love Letter to the Windrush Generation
I discovered Yvadney Davis on Instagram when she was a semi-finalist on Portrait Artist of the Year. Her work is a love letter to the Windrush generation, and the way she layers her soft portraits over textured wallpaper—often found in Caribbean homes—is deeply nostalgic.
Yvadney Davis
One of the pieces I acquired, The Front Room, features a woman in a yellow dress sitting on a stool. Some days, her closed eyes reflect the emotional burden Black women carry. Other days, I see a woman allowing herself a moment of rest—not because she’s overwhelmed, but because she deserves it. She deserves ease. She deserves the soft life.
Yvadney’s work will soon be part of an exhibition curated by The Lemon Seed Project, a gallery space I created in my home to showcase emerging Black artists. I wanted to offer an intimate, immersive experience where art isn’t just admired—it’s imagined in the rooms of a home, making it more accessible to those hesitant about traditional galleries.
A Tribute to Black Women Artists
As talented as both Sharon and Yvadney are, Black women artists still face significant barriers in the art world. While African artists are finally receiving more recognition, Black women of British Caribbean heritage remain underappreciated. Their perspectives, their contributions, their artistry deserve more.
This International Women’s Month, my tribute belongs to Black women artists. Their work has allowed me to celebrate myself, my womanhood, and my Blackness in ways the mainstream world once denied me. Because of them, my home is more than just a place—it is a sanctuary, filled with history, identity, and self-love.
About the Author
Natasha Landers
Natasha Landers is an interior designer, gallerist, curator, and diversity consultant based in London. Her passions lie in social justice, diversity, and equity.