Hardworking, creative, and passionate are three words artist Shayn Green (she/her or they/them) uses to describe herself — and rightfully so. As the creator of Big Nose Baddies, Green has built a vibrant, unapologetic art collection that celebrates Black features and redefines traditional beauty standards. Through her bold use of bright colors, diverse textures, organic elements like plants and flowers, and—of course—beautifully rendered big noses, Green’s work glorifies ethnic features often underrepresented in mainstream art.
Back to the Beginning
It all started in 2021 with Green’s first piece titled, Afropunk. Inspired by a photo of herself taken at the Afropunk Festival in Atlanta, Georgia, she found herself moved by the celebration of Black identity that surrounded her through the festival’s music and culture, and the sheer presence of people who looked like her. “I wanted to create artwork that would resonate with the Black people in my community with similar features and experiences,” she said.
The Inspiration Behind the Work
To Green, Black people and the connection within the Black community has influenced her art the most. Much of her inspiration also comes from her own family, where large noses are a proud and recurring trait. “Facial features like this that are passed down not only connect us to each other but to our origins, and in some cases can be one of the most ancestral connections we can make,” she said.
Representation in Art
“Representation in the art world has become more accessible than in the past and it’s easier to connect with artists of diverse backgrounds … [but] in the future I’d like to see even more representation and diversity in large galleries, art shows and residency programs for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ creatives,” said Green. Growing up around Black art, music, and entertainment at home helped her find inspiration early. But outside of home is where she quickly noticed the lack of wider representation. “A large portion of the representation we did receive was mostly centered around Black hardship [and] although there should be space held for those stories, it is only a fraction of what we are,” she noted. As a Black and queer woman, Green puts her identity into her art hoping to reach the person who was teased for their natural hair or was told their nose and lips were too big. Her bright and bold pieces are her way to show the world that Black features are beautiful and deserve to be seen.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
Despite facing challenges like limited time, financial strain, and burnout, Green has learned to give herself grace and let her creative process unfold naturally. Recently, she completed a Big Nose Baddies Spring Collection featuring flowers, fruits, and clouds. Her upcoming Summer Collection will celebrate LGBTQ+ pride and the fun elements of summer she loved as a child. Her advice to emerging artists is to try different mediums, explore what speaks to you, and “…don’t compare yourself … or feel discouraged when starting out because everyone’s journey is different and you will find your rhythm in time.”