Alicia Brown, is a Jamaican artist who transforms traditional portraiture with a bold and contemporary approach. Her oil paintings replace the elaborate collars and garments of European aristocracy with unconventional materials like bubble wrap, balloons, and plants, reflecting themes of class, identity, and colonial history. These collars sit on the necks of regular people, who navigate the ongoing performance of creating an identity to gain acceptance. Set against vibrant, nature-inspired backdrops, Brown’s intimate oil paintings invite viewers to explore the shared humanity of her subjects while reflecting on the complexities of identity in a post-colonial context.