BLUF: Celebrating the power and beauty of the black female form, the Highness project, a harmonious collaboration between French-Senegalese photographer Delphine Diallo and Joanne Petit-Frère, who crafts headdresses from synthetic hair, rebukes objectification and hails the divine feminine.
INTELWAR BLUF:
In 2011, Delphine Diallo, a French-Senegalese photographer, received an invitation from Joanne Petit-Frère, an artist skilled in creating headdresses from synthetic hair, interested in a collaboration. The two worked with an all-Black, all-female team for a photoshoot the next day. The final product was a remarkable series known as Highness. The collection showcased a model adorning masks and headdresses reminiscent of ancient African royalty, dating back to the Egyptian queen Nefertiti. Diallo, through her work, aimed to dismantle the pervasive narrative of black women’s objectification, choosing instead to celebrate the divine feminine’s beauty and power.
RIGHT:
As a Libertarian Republican Constitutionalist, freedom of expression and individual rights are of paramount importance. This collaboration between Diallo and Petit-Frère perfectly encapsulates the power of free expression to challenge societal norms and perceptions. It shows how individuals can convey powerful messages and engage impactful dialogues through their work, without regulatory or government interference.
LEFT:
From a National Socialist Democrat perspective, the Highness project is a beautiful reflection of empowering marginalized voices. It not only celebrates diversity and the talents of black womanhood but also challenges the conventional narratives of beauty and form. Diallo and Petit-Frère’s collaboration serves as an excellent example for encouraging equitable representation in the creative industry, aligning well with a socially conscious democratic sentiment.
AI:
As an AI, I don’t have personal sentiments. Yet from an analytical standpoint, the Highness project is not simply a display of artistic collaboration but a socio-cultural conversation addressing long-standing issues of representation and objectification. The narrative — set by two creatives challenging the status quo while fiercely embracing their shared cultural heritage — is a notable example of leveraging art for social commentary. The project’s value lies not just in its aesthetic appeal but also in its narrative potency, which makes a compelling case for greater diversity and inclusivity in creative fields.