SYNERGY - Yvonne Ferguson

Story By: Zakyree Wallace

Yvonne Ferguson paints from the intersection of art, activism, and history. Ferguson was born in Fort Walton Beach and grew up in Gainesville while her mother attended the University of Florida. After graduating from Gainesville High School in 2004, Ferguson traveled north to study Art History and Digital Art at Virginia Wesleyan University in Norfolk, Virginia and later returned to Gainesville.

Ferguson has long strived to increase representation of Black people in her hometown. Growing up, Ferguson was surrounded by representation of Black people and knowledge of the African diaspora in her home. In the beginning of her artistic journey, Ferguson sought out to purchase Black art and was not able to find artwork that depicted Black people. This reality activated Ferguson into becoming a “Black art pollinator” and offering a mirror for Black people to see themselves in the world through her artwork. Most important to Ferguson is reinforcing pride in being Black and uplifting Black history and culture. From here, Diasporic Pigments, Ferguson’s homebase for her artwork and business, was born.

Activism and studying revolutionary movements inspires Ferguson to share the “Godliness, passion, and power that flows through us all.” Before creating any portraits, Ferguson shares that she studies her subjects’ lives from the inside out by examining sources of inspiration, speeches, and historical artifacts. Highly influential political and cultural figures like Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, James Baldwin, Billie Holiday, and Janelle Monae are a few of Ferguson’s portrait subjects. Ferguson was also fortunate to meet Angela Davis when only a seventh grader after reaching out to her via email for a book report on prominent living historical figures.

Diasporic Pigments reaches audiences ranging from 17-65 and Ferguson strives to make artwork accessible to all members of her community with affordable prices. “I try to be intentional about everything I do….I learned to be selective about what you participate and invest in” remarks Ferguson. As a business owner, careful consideration into what opportunities she takes and which people she aligns with is imperative to retaining the integrity of Diasporic Pigments. As a working artist, Ferguson has experienced industry workers attempting to capitalize off her race and place her artwork in a narrow category. Staying true to values and moving with intention has helped Ferguson remain focused on the creation and experience of art as opposed to the business behind it.

Ferguson’s work has been showcased in gallery showings from the Cotton Club Museum, to Matheson History Museum, and Merge Culture Studio. Her work has also been featured at the University of Florida Center of Women’s Studies and Institute of Black Culture, Wild Iris Bookstore, and the Civic Media Center. Most recently, Ferguson painted her third mural for the City of Gainesville as a tribute to the legacy of her aunt and late social justice activist, Dr. Patricia HilliardNunn.