Qualeasha Wood

Qualeasha Wood is a trailblazer in exploring the intersection of digital Black womanhood, artificial intelligence, and perceptions of the black femme self. Her in-depth investigations have focused on the impact of AI-engineered filters on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and others. Contrary to previous filters, these digital tools have a far more intense and transformative effect, often imposing Eurocentric beauty ideals surreptitiously and instantaneously.

Wood highlights the profound impact on women of color, suggesting that these filters could lead to a new form of dysmorphia. Rather than being limited to the traditional sources of beauty standards, these ideals now manifest directly on one's face, creating an unattainable image of "ideal beauty." This complex interaction of technology, identity, and sexual expectations is a concerning aspect of digital interventions.

Furthermore, Wood argues that the appeal of these filters goes beyond mere beautification; it extends to finding acceptance in a society that commodifies Black femme culture. These instant image alterations can trigger feelings of inadequacy, leading to depersonalization and body dysmorphia. Compounded by the racial biases present in AI filters, these conditions carry deep psychological weight, prompting Wood to contemplate Afro-pessimism and the reduction of self to a casualty of white supremacy.

The broader effects of these systems are also significant, particularly among younger women, where plastic surgery has become more normalized. Plastic surgeons have coined the term "Snapchat dysmorphia" to describe a growing trend where patients seek to resemble their AI-filtered and AI-edited selves. This growing obsession with digitally-altered appearances has far-reaching implications for self-image and societal perceptions of beauty standards.

In addition to her work on digital interventions, Wood's artistic prowess has gained recognition, particularly her Jacquard tapestries that integrate the digital world into woven cloth, inspired by the historical Jacquard loom. A significant exhibition titled "Manic Pixie Magical Negro" showcases the convergence of Catholic iconography, African American story quilts, and a millennial sensibility in her captivating tapestries. One notable piece, "System Maintenance" (2023), contains a portrait of Wood, adorned with beads and computer arrows, emphasizing vulnerability and self-possession in her art.

Wood's contributions to both digital discourse and the art world mark her as a pioneering figure, raising critical conversations about the impact of technology, identity, and representation in contemporary society.

Currently on view at Kendra Jayne Patrick gallery in NYC. For more information read JILLIAN STEINHAUER review at NYTimes.