A DARK GIRL HAS TO SMILE MORE
T-shirts / Text / Performance
2008
T-shirts / Text / Performance
2008
ABOUT THE WORK: Once, I got a job in a 4-star hotel serving breakfast. Despite not speaking Dutch and having any experience serving tables, I did my best to make it up. The awful aubergine uniform and having to put on makeup at 6:30 in the morning were all challenges.
One day a blonde, made-up, pretty, young woman, who I later learned to be the manager, appeared in the middle of rush hour. She approached and told me to smile because I was too serious.
It surprised me since I didn't see the other girls smiling while helping tables, I responded to her. It is different, she assured me: a dark girl has to smile more!
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Interactive project
Oude Kerk, Amsterdam
2008
The work was developed in collaboration with the women visiting the exhibition, and reflects on issues such as immigration, race, belonging and the challenges that non-European women face in their work relationships.
Dark Girl
Screen prints + drawing on photograph
Variable dimensions
2008
Oude Kerk, Amsterdam. Exhibition view.