‘fat femme sisters’ photo series by singer tika is a powerful affirmation of self-love

Canada-based musician TiKa is reclaiming the meaning of self-love in a new photo series celebrating fat femme sisterhood. According to Yahoo, the queer artist collaborated with photographer Anthony Gebrehiwot for “Fat Femme Sisters”, explaining:

“I had a vision of black women around me signing alongside me, but I wanted them to look like me as I’ve never seen fat black bodies together dressed in all white.”

While the photos nail the intent of capturing sisterhood that is “angelic and beautiful and soft,” its far more pointed accompanying messages hammer home the power of the project. In one caption, TiKa writes:

“Fat. Black. Woman. And yet, we exist. Unapologetically and without shame. Fuck you. We love on ourselves.”

We are everything the world hates. Fat. Black. Woman. And yet, we exist. Unapologetically and without shame. Fuck you. We love on ourselves. • ✨BASK PHOTO SERIES✨ • From left to right: @lavender_honeycombs, @jelissairis, @tikathecreator, @flawsofcouture, @judy25saywhat • 📸: @xvxyphoto MUA: @kenwetalkface • #body #bodypositive #fat #bbw #blackgirlmagic #melanin #melaninpoppin #afropunk #Queens

A post shared by T i K▲ (@tikathecreator) on Sep 27, 2017 at 7:22am PDT

“This photo shoot was a major ‘f*ck you’ to anyone and everyone who has ever tried to invalidate me,” she explained to Yahoo. “I’m a human being and I matter just like everyone else. I was grateful to have friends who were brave enough to stand with me.”

Check out the stunning photos below!

STRENGTH in vulnerability. ✨BASK SERIES✨ 📸: @xvxyphoto MUA: @kmedard (from right left to left bottom: @lavender_honeycombs, moi, @flawsofcouture, @jelissairis @judy25saywhat) #bodypositive #bodypositivity #fat #bbw #selflove #femme #beauty #sisters

A post shared by T i K▲ (@tikathecreator) on Oct 2, 2017 at 11:41am PDT

We are everything the world hates. Fat. Black. Woman. And yet, we exist. Unapologetically and without shame. Fuck you. We love on ourselves. • ✨BASK PHOTO SERIES✨ • From left to right: @jelissairis @flawsofcouture @tikathecreator @judy25saywhat @lavender_honeycombs • 📸: @xvxyphoto MUA: @kenwetalkface • #body #bodypositive #fat #bbw #blackgirlmagic #melanin #melaninpoppin #afropunk #Queens

A post shared by T i K▲ (@tikathecreator) on Sep 27, 2017 at 7:24am PDT

We are everything the world hates. Fat. Black. Woman. And yet, we exist. Unapologetically and without shame. Fuck you. We love on ourselves. • ✨BASK PHOTO SERIES✨ • From left to right: @lavender_honeycombs, @jelissairis, @tikathecreator, @flawsofcouture, @judy25saywhat • 📸: @xvxyphoto MUA: @kenwetalkface • #body #bodypositive #fat #bbw #blackgirlmagic #melanin #melaninpoppin #afropunk #Queens

A post shared by T i K▲ (@tikathecreator) on Sep 27, 2017 at 7:25am PDT

I am everything the world hates and yet, I am here. In all my glory. • ✨ BASK Photo Series ✨ 📸: @xvxyphoto MUA: @kenwetalkface • #bodypositive #bodypositivity #fat #bbw #TiKA

A post shared by T i K▲ (@tikathecreator) on Sep 27, 2017 at 7:08am PDT