Early Life and Education (1996-present):
• Born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 1996, Ky's childhood was marked by her parents' divorce.
• Despite pursuing a Business Administration degree at Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Yamoussoukro, Ky's heart belonged to the arts.
• After graduating, she chose to carve her own path in the creative world.
Artistic Expression:
• Ky's artistic medium is truly unique. She's a sculptor, but not in the traditional sense. Her canvas? Her own hair!
• Ky creates bold and thought-provoking sculptures using her natural hair, often incorporating wires and wool extensions.
• This artistic choice stems from her exploration of African hair history and a newfound appreciation for natural hairstyles, particularly those from the pre-colonial era.
Beyond Hair Art:
• Ky's talents extend beyond hair sculptures. She's also a:
• Fashion designer: In 2018, she launched her "Kystroy" collection, blending traditional fabrics with a modern twist.
• Writer: Her book "Love & Justice: a journey of empowerment, activism and embracing black beauty" details her personal story and journey towards self-love and advocacy.
• Actress: Ky has graced the silver screen in films like "La nuit des rois" (2019) and "Disco Boy" (2021).
• Ky is also a fan of fitness, she's a gym girl.
Activism and Recognition:
• Ky is a strong advocate for self-acceptance and Black beauty. Her artistic expression and story inspire many.
• This influence has been recognized. Ky was awarded the Jeunesse Francophone 35.35 prize and reached the finals of the Elite Model Look contest (Influencer category) in 2018.
• In 2020, she collaborated with Marc Jacobs on a handbag collection.
• Capping off her achievements, Ky was selected for the prestigious 59th Venice Biennale as part of the National Pavilion of Côte d'Ivoire in 2022.
Leatitia Ky is a multi-faceted artist who uses her platform to challenge beauty standards and celebrate her heritage. Her journey continues to inspire and empower others.
There's a naked sculptor of Leatitia Ky circulating on the internet , here's what she said about it. 👇
The sculpture of me that is in Rocca Sinibalda in Italy and is included in my project with Una Boccata d'Arte represents a lot to me because it highlights natural aspects of women's bodies that are underrepresented in the world of art and media.
My sculpture has armpit hairs and pubic hairs clearly visible! In many regions it is perceived as dirty, not feminine enough, ugly, in short the ultimate transgression...
Standards exist for our bodies and when we dare not comply we get lynched. Just look at the comments under my pictures whenever my hairs are visible. Ignorance, malice, violence.
I'm lucky not to be hit by all this but imagine how a less insecure woman who wanted to stop shaving because her skin is too sensitive would feel? She will be thoroughly And same is when we extend to other standards.
When I suggested that the sculpture be naked with hair visible, receiving a positive response from the mayor of Rocca Sinibalda warmed my heart. Beyond taboos, they understood the message of liberation I wanted to pass on to women and they supported it! I feel blessed to be in contact with compassionate humans on a daily basis who want to make things move.
Laetitia Ky has been recognized for her work as an artist and activist with several awards and achievements:
- Prix Jeunesse Francophone 3535 (2018): This award recognizes influential young people in the French-speaking world. Ky was one of 35 recipients in 2.
- On the Rise Côte d'Ivoire (2018): This program identifies and celebrates top young people in Côte d'Ivoire. Ky was selected as one of the twenty honorees.
- Paper magazine "100 People Taking Over 2019" (2019): This recognition by Paper magazine highlighted Ky as an emerging talent to watch.
- Elite Model Look contest - Best Digital Designer Award (2019): Ky won this award in the social media category, partnered with TikTok.
- Shorty Awards - Instagrammer of the Year Finalist (2020): The Shorty Awards recognize excellence in social media. Ky was a finalist in the Instagrammer category.
- Guinness World Record (2021): Ky achieved a world record for the most jump ropes skips using her own hair.
- PRIMUD nomination (2021): Ky was nominated in the "Woman of Art" category of the Prix International des Musiques Urbaines et du Coupé Décalé (PRIMUD) awards.
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