It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we come together to mourn the loss of Brooklyn-born artist, photographer, and activist Nona Faustine. In a world where many are content with fleeting existence, Nona carved a profound and lasting legacy through her vulnerability, strength, and unwavering commitment to exploring the complexities of race, identity, and history. As we grieve the untimely passing of this brilliant and inspiring woman, we also celebrate the life she lived—a life that touched so many and changed the artistic landscape forever.
Nona Faustine’s passing at the young age of 47 due to cancer has left an indelible void in the artistic community and beyond. While the world feels her absence deeply, we also hold close the profound impact she had on those around her. Her work was not only a reflection of her genius but also an expression of her love for humanity, her desire to make us reflect, question, and understand the histories we often choose to forget. As we say goodbye to this incredible soul, we take solace in the beauty and the brilliance she left behind.
For those of us who were fortunate enough to know Nona personally, there will forever be a deep longing for the radiant energy she shared. “I so loved to adorn you and make you feel special, giggly, and happy,” one of her closest friends writes, reflecting on the joy and light that Nona brought into the lives of everyone she encountered. It was this warmth, this tenderness, that made Nona not just an artist but a muse, a sister, a friend, and a guide. She had the unique ability to make you feel seen, to make you feel understood, even on your darkest days.
Her radiant smile, infectious laughter, and spirit of playfulness were matched only by the profound seriousness with which she approached her work. It was this balance—between lightness and gravity—that made her art so powerful. Nona’s artistic vision transcended mere aesthetics; it was a profound exploration of history, identity, and memory. Through her lens, she invited us to confront uncomfortable truths about our society and the legacies that continue to shape our world today.
One of Nona’s most powerful photographic series, “White Shoes,” embodied this sense of urgency and reflection. A collection of more than 40 self-portraits taken across New York City, this series revealed her standing in spaces that are historically linked to enslavement, colonization, and the exploitation of Black and Indigenous bodies. Nona’s presence in these images was both commanding and vulnerable—she stood barefoot or partially clothed, often adorned with symbolic props, and always with her signature white pumps. These shoes were not merely a fashion statement; they represented the tension between the personal and the collective, between the present and the past, and between the individual and the memory of ancestors who endured unimaginable pain.
Nona’s work is not just about what we see in the photographs; it is about what we are forced to confront. She asked us to consider the histories we walk upon every day, the hidden stories that lay buried beneath our feet in the very places we inhabit. With each powerful image, Nona urged us to reckon with the legacies of violence and resistance that shaped the land, the city, and the world as we know it.
In 2024, the Brooklyn Museum honored Nona’s vision with the first solo exhibition of her work and the first complete installation of “White Shoes.” This was a monumental moment not only for Nona but for the artistic community at large. It was a testament to the importance of her work and the undeniable impact she had on the cultural landscape. Through her art, Nona forced us to see the complexities of history and identity, and her exhibition was a celebration of her brilliance, courage, and passion for storytelling.
Nona Faustine’s commitment to exploring the past and its deep effects on the present was not limited to her work in photography. She was a tireless advocate for justice, equity, and the acknowledgment of Black and Indigenous histories. She understood that the personal is political and that the fight for recognition and respect for marginalized communities was an ongoing struggle. Through her art, Nona gave voice to those whose stories had been silenced for too long, shedding light on the trauma and resilience of Black and Indigenous people, particularly women, in spaces where their presence was often erased or ignored.
Her words still echo in our hearts: “I find hope in people. Humans have this great capacity for understanding.” Nona’s unwavering faith in humanity, in our ability to learn, grow, and change, was a central theme in her life and work. She saw art as a vehicle for healing, a way to provoke thought and foster empathy. She believed in the power of understanding, and through her powerful storytelling, she gave us the tools to better understand the world and our place within it.
As we reflect on Nona’s life and work, we are reminded that she was more than just an artist. She was a mother, a daughter, a friend, and a collaborator. Her daughter, Queen, who was a constant source of joy and inspiration for Nona, is now left to carry on the legacy of a woman who poured her love into everything she did. Our hearts go out to Queen, to Nona’s family, and to all of her loved ones during this time of profound loss. We know that the love and light Nona shared with us will continue to guide and inspire them as they navigate this difficult time.
To Nona’s friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives she touched, we offer our deepest condolences. You were privileged to witness her brilliance firsthand, to experience her creativity, her warmth, and her friendship. Though Nona is no longer with us in the physical sense, her spirit, her art, and her vision will continue to live on. We will carry her memory with us, as a reminder of the power of vulnerability, the importance of truth, and the necessity of confronting history.
Nona Faustine was a force of nature—a true one-of-a-kind human. Her passing leaves a void that can never be filled, but her legacy will endure. As we grieve, we also find hope in the lessons she taught us: the importance of self-exploration, the power of history, and the beauty of being unapologetically oneself. Rest in power, dear Nona. See you on the other side, muse. Your work and your soul will forever be with us.
May your journey be as profound and beautiful as the life you lived.
