A multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto, Oreka James creates work about the complexities surrounding the construction of Blackness and the constant surveillance of Black people. Untitled and other works in this series address Black womxn and themes of love, sexuality, mental health, and healing. James’s paintings often depict black figures as headless or white-washed out. In James’s own words, “It reminded me of the figure being present but also not being present at the same time. It’s something that’s intuitive, that I can’t really explain, but if I had to explain it, I would say it’s mirroring a psychological aspect of being Black in this world.” A year after receiving her BFA from the Ontario College of Art and Design University, James was artist in residence at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Her work has been exhibited in Canada and the United States.