DeAnn Wiley is having a viral moment.
On March 8, the Detroit artist posted an illustration on social media of critically acclaimed actress Wunmi Mosaku, who is nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Ryan Coogler’s film, “Sinners.”
The illustration captures Mosaku in the vibrant blue dress and eye makeup the actress donned at the The British Academy Film Awards last month. Wiley said she was inspired to create the illustration after a drawing days prior of Mosaku in the New Yorker, with muted features and dressed in a blue suit jacket and dress pants, garnered online backlash.
Wiley’s post got more than 40,000 likes on X, formerly known as Twitter, and more than 7,000 likes on Instagram. In her posts, Wiley wrote, “Apparently, The New Yorker ran a story with an illustration of Wunmi Mosaku that was obviously not intended to represent her well, so I redid it real quick in a similar style. Took 15 minutes & a love of Black women.”
In response to pushback, João Fazenda, who created the New Yorker illustration, offered an apology, saying “I’ll work hard to do better next time.”
BridgeDetroit talked with Wiley about her creation, the reaction she’s been getting online and misrepresentation of Black beauty in art and media.
BridgeDetroit: Why was it important for you to illustrate your own version of Wunmi?
Wiley: I’ve seen pictures of Wunmi before that I have wanted to draw, but I hadn’t gotten around to it. So, when I saw that (the New Yorker illustration), I was like, ‘This would be a good opportunity for me to draw her,’ and also honor what I stand for in my art, which is highlighting dark-skinned, Black women, fat women, disabled women.
BridgeDetroit: Have you been surprised by the positive reaction you’ve been getting online?
Wiley: I’m not really surprised because I am familiar with using my art to contribute to the narrative online, rather than participating in changing the narrative. I’ve done things like this before. For example, when everybody was talking about Kerry Washington’s smile and people were posting all those pictures of her crying and making fun of her teeth, I drew a portrait of her.
I think of social media in my art as being a way to contribute to a conversation online that’s happening, and that’s because art is so visual. It has the ability to create a shift. I’m not surprised that people resonated with it and that it went viral.
BridgeDetroit: When it comes to cases like Kerry Washington and Wunmi Mosaku, why do you think Black beauty is still misrepresented in our society?
Wiley: Because of racism, colorism, transphobia. Those things are still prevailing in our societies and we’re still living in a society that has like an
inclination to discriminate against people who fall in those categories. Dark-skinned Black women, fat women, trans women; they are still seen as undesirable and unworthy because we still have that systemic racism and transphobia in place. Even now, it’s not something that is taken seriously by the current administration. As long as that’s here, then that’s gonna always be a thing where Black women are mischaracterized or seen in a distasteful light.
BridgeDetroit: In your Twitter post, you wrote, “There should be some consideration at how BW (Black women), especially darker-skinned, fat, Black women are illustrated.” Some people in the comments said you could’ve taken out the word “fat,” or use a different word like “full-bodied.” Why did you keep it in there?
Wiley: Because those things are important. Being fat is not negative, dark skin is not negative. It is just seen in a negative light because of the racial discrimination and the fat phobia that’s in our societies. My aunties are fat Black women, my mom is a dark-skinned Black woman, and I grew up loving those types of women. It was never seen as a negative thing to acknowledge their physical features. For me, it’s important to stand on the ideology that there is nothing wrong with being those things. It’s about how we treat people who fall into those categories or who have those characteristics. That’s why I’m never going to shy away from putting fat, Black women in my art.
BridgeDetroit: What was it like when you saw Wunmi Mosaku liked your post on Instagram?
Wiley: That was exciting! She’s busy, it’s awards season. I was very happy that she saw it. It made me feel good that she was able to see herself in my art that way. I wasn’t expecting it. I was like, ‘What the heck?’
She was my favorite part of the (Sinners) movie. I thought she was incredibly powerful, sexy, strong. I thought that her role was pivotal to the storyline. I’m glad that they’re (Hollywood) actually giving her her flowers.
BridgeDetroit: You illustrated a children’s book by Adiba Nelson called “Hazel’s Best Day” that’s coming out on March 24. What is the book about?
Wiley: Hazel is a little Black girl who has cerebral palsy and she’s going to her first Disability Pride parade. Her mom and dad are taking her, and they’re walking through the neighborhood on the way to the parade, talking about accessibility, pointing out all the things in the neighborhood that make it accessible. I really love the story because Hazel has such a big personality, and she’s just so excited about learning more about how she can contribute to her community. It was a really great story that Adiba did. I was excited to do the art for it because I got to play around and have fun with the colors and her outfits and hair. I’m excited for everybody to read it and I hope that any kids who have disabilities feel seen and validated.
BridgeDetroit: The Oscars are on Sunday, March 15. Do you think Wunmi Mosaku will win for Best Supporting Actress?
Wiley: That would be the cherry on top of a good week where she’s been in the spotlight and everybody’s recognizing her. I hope so.