“With Dignity: Stories of Triumph and Recovery” seeks to visually narrate the colorful, yet triumphant stories of seven individuals, specifically Black folks, from Baltimore City who are in recovery. Through portraiture, floral motifs, drawings, and narrative interviews, the project highlights their humanity and worthiness, forcing viewers to question their own vices and recognize their own biases about who and what is beautiful and worthy.

Opening Reception Recap

With Dignity: Featured Interviews

Reaction: Kim Watts

Reaction: Martin Smith

Yewande Kotun Davis is a Nigerian American visual artist based in Baltimore, Maryland. While her previous career as a population health administrator lends to her expertise at the intersection of health and mental wellness and racial justice, her Nigerian heritage and Southern upbringing lend to her love of stories and storytelling. As such, Yewande utilizes her work to celebrate, depict, and reframe narratives that have been inadequately or falsely delivered in the past. With a focus on traditional media and public art, Yewande centers the layered experiences of Black folks— most often women and children— by taking a special interest in their narration as a source of inspiration and truth. Through her approach and various media, Yewande’s work serves as a vehicle for community care by highlighting our connectedness, inciting joy, and creating space for healing. The works of “With Dignity: Stories of Triumph and Recovery” are the first intentional union of her healthcare background and art practice.

Yewande Kotun Davis is a Nigerian American visual artist based in Baltimore, Maryland. While her previous career as a population health administrator lends to her expertise at the intersection of health and mental wellness and racial justice, her Nigerian heritage and Southern upbringing lend to her love of stories and storytelling. As such, Yewande utilizes her work to celebrate, depict, and reframe narratives that have been inadequately or falsely delivered in the past. With a focus on traditional
media and public art, Yewande centers the layered experiences of Black folks— most often women and children— by taking a special interest in their narration as a source of inspiration and truth. Through her approach and various media, Yewande’s work serves as a vehicle for community care by highlighting our connectedness, inciting joy, and creating space for healing. The works of “With Dignity: Stories of Triumph and Recovery” are the first intentional union of her healthcare background and art practice.

"With Dignity: Stories of Triumph and Recovery" was made possible by generous sponsorship from: