Spring 2021

The curator of StartARt describes Lad's portraits as a deliberate effort to invert the patriarchal canon of art history, which has traditionally overlooked women of color in favor of white male protagonists. By placing women of color as protagonists in her paintings, Lad challenges the dominant cultural narrative and imbues her subjects with sensitivity and majesty. Her artwork provides a platform for women of color to be seen and appreciated in all their beauty and complexity.In this particular painting, Spring is portrayed as a woman of color with colorful flowers in her hair. The painting is symbolic of the beautiful colors and energy that are associated with the spring season. The flowers in Spring's hair represent the renewal and growth that occur during this time of year, as well as the beauty and vibrancy of nature. The fact that Spring is a woman of color adds an additional layer of significance to the painting, as it challenges traditional depictions of spring as a white, Eurocentric symbol. By portraying spring as a woman of color, Lad reinforces the idea that beauty and nature are not the exclusive domain of any one culture or race, but rather belong to all of us.
 
Reference Image: Pinterest (source not known)