If you can, please repost! There will be food until there isnāt š¤£š«¶š¾This Friday from 1pm to 8pmā¦ be there! Where you said? The Art & Architecture building on North Campus at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor,MI. Come at anytimešŗ
ArtistšØ Me
Videographyš„ @maniranyaa
IP studioāØ @umstamps
Song š¶@kasivamutua
#artistsupportartists #detroitartists #multimediaartist #kenyangirl 2026graduate
Blooming Between is almost ready to be seenāØ
A glimpse of something still unfoldingā¦
See the full work revealed
Friday, April 24
1 ā 8 PM
Ann Arbor, MI
University of Michigan
Art & Architecture Building, North Campus
Stop by anytimeāØ
Be there.
Artist: @elsa.olander šØ
Videographer: @maniranyaa š„
Youāre all invited!!! š¤
I have THREE exhibitions happening this monthā¦ yes, weāre going all in š¤£
Group shows: April 24 & 25āØSolo debut: April 30āØ(All details are in the flyers above āØ)
If youāre coming to āBecoming,ā please register through the link or QR code!
Iād love to see you at one, two, or all three. Bring friends and family, or share this with someone whoād enjoy it! Everything is FREE and OPEN to the public. There will be food at the receptions too :)
These shows mark the end of my four years at the University of Michigan (BFA, Stamps School of Art & Design), which makes this all feel extra special to share with you.
Come hang out, spend time with the work, and connectā¦ itāll be a vibe, but better with you there š„°
See you soon,āØElsa
I donāt usually pour my heart out on social media. But today feels different.
I was born and raised in Kenya. Growing up in an African household I was deeply rooted in my culture where modesty isnāt just encouraged but itās expected. Showing skin was never allowed. And in many ways it still isnāt.
As āgoodā and ārespectableā women, weāre taught that certain parts of our bodies must remain hidden. That wearing shorts, crop tops and all is unacceptable. Ati youāre walking the streets of Nairobi or Nax or any other city like thisā¦ wehhh! God forbid something tragic happens to you dressed like that, just know you will be the one to blame.
Weāre told weāre seeking the male gaze.āØWeāre labeled as cheap, loose, disrespectful, āmalayaā (that means prostitute btw for those who donāt understand Swahili). Weāre diminished for simply existing in our own skin (and still are).
There have been protests in the past like āMy body, my choice.ā Conversations and debatesā¦ but deep down, the message remains the same:
āØA respectable woman covers herself up!
When I moved to the U.S. I thought I had shed that mindset. But itās been almost five years, and I still hesitate before wearing a bikini. I still question myself before putting on something considered āexposing.ā
So this post? Itās personal. Itās about embracing my culture but allowing room for growth.
Because history shows my ancestors not fully covering up. Reality shows villages with Maasai women wearing beads on their bare chests. So this covering up that we preach and praiseā¦ who brought this into our culture? Religion? Patriarchy? Colonialism? āØThis post may not align with the traditions I was raised in. I may be misunderstood. I may be judged. But I stand firmly in this truth:
Women should be able to wear whatever they choose without feeling ashamed, without fear, and without being blamed for someone elseās lack of self-control. A real man should have the discipline to govern himself.
Whether you agree or disagree isnāt the point.āØIām sharing this in case thereās another woman out there navigating the delicate balance between honoring her culture and allowing herself to blossom into who she truly isš¤
Who said black is only a sad color?
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#black #blackfit #blackfitnesswomen #blackafroqueens #blackafro #latinagirls #americaninfluencer #detroithair #detroitgirl #detroitinfluencer #kenyanamerican #pretty #igkenya #kenyaninfluencer #kenyangirl #prettygirls
