“TOUCH ME NOT”

Written By Kiana Ware

BOURNE SINNERS, VOL. 6

- This painting has been pre-appraised and is currently for sale.

Date of creation: 09/2025

Size: 24 X 48” original

Medium/Materials: Acrylic and Oil | Level I Stapled Canvas, Matte Varnish

The Series:

Inspired by Ryan Coogler’s Sinners film, this collection explores the places our sins can take us. Each painting is an interpretive piece from still shots of the movie trailers. An ode to the blues of black culture, Vi strives to transmute generational trauma through healing expression in art.

Bourne Sinners Collection
“TOUCH ME NOT”
“TOUCH ME NOT”

This piece is titled ““Touch Me Not”Capturing the essence of Sammie’s return to the alter, the still shot gave me chills and reminded me of a time when I too found myself at the foot of the pastor.

“LADY IN RED”
“LADY IN RED”

Throughout history ladies in red have been depicted in cinema as entertainers, disrupting the peace with their beauty, their talent, and their presence. An ode to the blues of black culture, Vi strives to transmute generational trauma through healing expression in art.

“THE PEOPLE’S FEAST”
“THE PEOPLE’S FEAST”

This piece is titled “The People’s Feast” 🍽️ Capturing the essence of Michael B. Jordan’s alter ego “Stack”, the Yoruba twin deity is revered as a divine entity representing balance, happiness, and spiritual strength. Stack’s role seemed to provide the lively balance to Smoke’s buttoned up demeanor. I thought it very necessary to use an image of him smiling layered on a background of chaos…

The Elements:

Use of Blue

Alter Call- The scene depicted in this painting captures a personal alter call the day after Sammie’s encounter at the juke joint. I drew on this scene specifically because it reminded me of my childhood growing up in the Baptist church and still choosing to go the alter.

Sirens- In the movie, a quote, "There are legends of people born with the gift of making music so true, it can pierce the veil between life and death, conjuring spirits from the past and the future," is what inspired me to include the guitar as the tool.

The Inspiration:

Growing up in the Deep South, there were many negative slights towards the queer community at large. The closer I came to my faith I had to confront these ideologies and seek refuge in my own truth through personal studies. The term “touch me not” is a term in the LGBTQ community that refers to a lesbian who does not allow her partner to pleasure her. My first encounter with this was my first relationship with a woman. Toiling through womanhood and faith I found my way to my morals and values which I cling to as firmly as Miles clung to his broken guitar. My sexuality is as much a part of me as my gift to create. And I believe it to be a divine connection of me to my higher power. Whatever we bring to the alter, it is often the most near and dear parts of who we are. This piece is a reminder that the two can co-exist in beauty and balance.Growing up in the Deep South, there were many negative slights towards the queer community at large. The closer I came to my faith I had to confront these ideologies and seek refuge in my own truth through personal studies. The term “touch me not” is a term in the LGBTQ community that refers to a lesbian who does not allow her partner to pleasure her. My first encounter with this was my first relationship with a woman. Toiling through womanhood and faith I found my way to my morals and values which I cling to as firmly as Miles clung to his broken guitar. 🎸 My sexuality is as much a part of me as my gift to create. And I believe it to be a divine connection of me to my higher power. Whatever we bring to the alter, it is often the most near and dear parts of who we are. This piece is a reminder that the two can co-exist in beauty and balance.

Kiana Ware
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“LADY IN RED”