Interview by Kelsey McGruer

 

MV: Hair and hairstyles are an important part of body esthetics within many cultures.It is significant way that identity can be seen, and is seen as a form of determining identity constructions such as class and race. It is also a way of creating culture and self-identification.

 

KM: How important is your identity in regards to your body of work?

 

MV: I would say it’s very important. I feel like it’s hard to get away with doing an artwork that doesn’t in some way speak to who the artist is. As for myself, I often find myself wanting to speak about my experiences and my understanding of the world around me, and that is very much influenced not only by how I’ve chosen to identify myself, but also by external labels that society imposes.