Zarita Zevallos | Imperium

The bold and dynamic series Imperium by Zarita Zevallos celebrates black skin in a raw and organic setting.

Using a clean white backdrop, the subject stretches and flexes as glimmering glass shards and golden sands are splayed across, creating a richly woven, near Adamic celebration of the origin of man.   

The New York based Haitian architect and photographer’s series encourages the viewer to let go of all prejudices, historic as well as modern and celebrate the wonder of mankind with clean lines and natural material. 

We all live in tall glass houses; some glasses more translucent than others, some decorated with opaque curtains and some even hiding behind tall trees…But no matter how hard we try to hide pieces of us or how hard we try to protect them from our neighbours view, somehow, sooner or later, it all comes to light…And stones are thrown. Being born black has always been an excuse for being bashed, denigrated and stoned to death. We focus so much on the quality of the glass, on protecting it, that we forget that the true foundation lies in our strength to stand tall even when all seems shattered. We are our own monuments. Although we may find a divine madness in our skin, we must also embrace it in order to achieve freedom. Our skin is our crown; protect the kingdom at all cost.

— Alexa Zevallos

Follow Zarita Zevallos on Instagram or visit her website