Samson Chambala
Medium: Acrylis on Canvas and Collage
66 x 45 cm
2025
Lady with Pearl Earring reimagines Vermeers classic through the lens of Black identity and
empowerment. The pearl, drawn from the depths of the sea, becomes more than adornment, it
carries history, resilience, and memory. In Black past experiences, the sea holds a harsh reality,
echoing the countless Black bodies lost to its waters during migration and enslavement. Origami
planes introduce movement and flight, symbolizing migration and transformation. By reclaiming
a European archetype, this work elevates the Black woman as a powerful symbol of survival,
agency, and renewal.
The work speaks about migration, memory, and the empowerment of Black women honoring
shared histories while celebrating the strength of cultural identity.