All My Life I Had to Fight

This piece shows a powerful, young girl set against a dark, maze-like background. She faces the viewer head-on, arms raised and flexed, wearing bright red boxing gloves that immediately signal strength, resilience, and readiness to fight. Her posture is confident and unyielding, almost statuesque.

She wears mint-green headphones, suggesting focus, inner rhythm, or a personal soundtrack feeding her resolve. A simple gold crown floats above her head like a halo, symbolizing self-sovereignty, dignity, and earned authority rather than inherited power. Around her neck is a colorful candy necklace, reminding the viewer of her innocence.

Her white tank top features one of my kente clouds filled with bold patterns and colors, hinting at creativity, imagination, and layered identity. The contrast between the soft, playful colors and the hard boxing gloves reinforces the idea of complexity—strength paired with the innocence of youth.

The background’s winding, labyrinthine pattern evokes history, or systemic obstacles, making her stance feel defiant and triumphant, as if she has navigated the maze and emerged unbroken. Overall, the piece celebrates perseverance, inner power, and self-definition, presenting strength not just as physical force, but as mental, cultural, and emotional resilience.

• 1.25″ (3.18 cm) thick poly-cotton blend canvas
• Canvas fabric weight: 10.15 +/- 0.74 oz./yd.² (344 g/m² +/- 25g/m²)
• Fade-resistant
• Hand-stretched over solid wood stretcher bars
• Mounting brackets included
• Blank product sourced from the US, Canada, Europe, UK, or Australia