Michelle is an Amsterdam-based artist whose work celebrates Black joy, womanhood, fashion and faith. With 27 years of self-taught experience, complemented by studies at HKU and Akademie Vogue Fashion, Michelle creates paintings that challenge the limited narratives often assigned to Black people in popular culture.
Growing up surrounded by images of Black trauma on television, she questioned why Black women were rarely portrayed with the same lightness, romance and freedom as their white counterparts. Her work reimagines those stories by placing Black women at the centre of beauty, joy and possibility.
Drawing inspiration from fashion, Black activism and her Christian faith, Michelle creates vibrant worlds that celebrate identity, elegance and hope, while continuing to explore new themes for the future.
— Michelle Amo
Selected work
