Boykisha

Mixed Media on Canvas

Artist Statement:
Boykisha is a contemporary abstract urban work that challenges the stereotypes attached to Black names. The piece emerges from the artist’s own experience — born Nakisha, she has faced prejudice and dismissal based on a name that some considered “ghetto.”

Through bold marks, vibrant colour, and graffiti-inspired gestures, Boykisha confronts these labels head-on, reclaiming the narrative around identity and dignity. It became the starting point of a larger collection exploring so-called “silly ghetto names,” reframing them as symbols of resilience and individuality rather than ridicule.

Later, Nakisha discovered a deeper truth: her own name carries spiritual significance, connecting her to scripture and revealing purpose rooted in God. Boykisha therefore speaks not only to the harm of snap judgments, but also to the profound importance of names as anchors of identity, faith, and destiny.