Poster -A Woman Holds the Knife at the Sharp End

The title of this artwork is an English translation of the Setswana (Southern Sotho) proverb “Mosadi o tšoara thipa ka bogaleng.” It speaks to the woman who holds the knife at its sharpest edge—who carries the heaviest responsibilities, absorbs the pain others avoid, and still finds the strength to move through the world with courage.

 

This collage reflects that truth. As Black women, we learn early that resilience isn’t optional. We’re constantly navigating a society that questions our autonomy, overlooks our humanity, and expects us to endure what others will never have to face. The weight is real, and it shapes how we move, how we protect ourselves, and how we survive.

 

In this piece, the graphic shape acts as an abstract exclamation point—a visual insistence. The African woman balancing overstuffed luggage on her head represents the burdens, expectations, and generational struggles that follow her wherever she goes. Behind her, the image of a household laundry product—and its name—becomes a reminder of how whiteness is still centered in conversations about gender inequality, leaving Black women often in the cold.

 

Artwork Title: A Woman Holds the Knife at the Sharp End
Medium: Digital Collage
© Tamiko Greene. Artworks cannot be reproduced and distributed without permission.