We wanted to learn more about the artist and her captivating hair sculptures, so we reached out and asked her a few questions. First, Laetitia Ky shared what inspired her to begin using her hair as a medium for artistic expression. She said: “It all started during a very personal journey of trying to reconnect with my hair after years of using hair relaxers. Like many Ivorian girls, I grew up with the idea that straight hair was the norm, the standard of beauty. I started relaxing my hair when I was very young, and it wasn’t until I was 16 that I decided to go back to my natural texture. But loving it wasn’t easy. It was unfamiliar, and I really struggled to accept it. I even considered going back to relaxers because I couldn’t see the beauty in what was naturally mine.
To help myself through that, I began following a lot of social media accounts that celebrated natural African hair and Black beauty in general. I was surrounding myself with positive imagery to retrain the way I saw myself. One day, I came across an online photo album that completely changed everything for me. It featured West African women wearing traditional hairstyles from before colonization. These styles were sculptural, almost abstract, and deeply rooted in culture and symbolism. That was the moment something clicked in me.”
The artist elaborated: “I became curious: what could I do with my hair? That curiosity turned into experimentation, and slowly, it evolved into a form of art, of storytelling, of activism. What began as an effort to learn to love my hair became a way to celebrate it, and through it, celebrate my identity.”
When asked to share more about her creative process, Ky explained: “My inspiration is usually very spontaneous. Ideas often come to me in the middle of everyday tasks, while I’m showering, making my bed, cooking… just random moments. When something pops into my mind, I immediately write it down on my phone, because I have so many ideas running through my head that if I don’t note them down, they just vanish."
"Once I decide on an idea I want to bring to life, I start with a small sketch. I grab a piece of paper and a pencil and try to visualize the concept. Then, when I have a clearer image in mind, I sit in front of a mirror with my materials, hair extensions, wire, thread, and start sculpting.”
“Some pieces come together quickly, while others take hours of trial and error. It’s a very hands-on process—I’m constantly adjusting, feeling the shape, making sure the balance is right. It’s almost like sculpting, but with something alive and delicate.”
Ky shared that her process is quite intuitive and physical, often requiring a great deal of time and focus: “I shape everything directly on my head, piece by piece, which can take 6 hours or more, depending on the complexity. Once the sculpture is done, I usually take the picture myself using a tripod and a camera. Most of the time, I do everything alone. But for some of my bigger or more iconic pieces, my sister has helped me a lot with the photography, especially when I needed support to get the perfect shot. These days, it’s a bit harder since I travel a lot and she has her own job, but she’s been a big part of the journey.
My inspiration comes from many places. Sometimes it’s my own ideas and convictions about society. Other times, it’s something more personal. And then, sometimes, there’s no specific message at all—some pieces are just meant to be beautiful.”
Laetitia also shared some of the biggest challenges she faces when working with such a unique and unconventional medium: “There are honestly so many challenges, both technical and personal. On the technical side, working with hair takes a huge toll on its health. I manipulate my hair a lot, and that leads to breakage, tears, and sometimes just frustration. It’s really difficult to keep my hair healthy while also using it as a constant creative medium. It requires a lot of care, and even then, it’s a struggle.”
“On a personal level, the emotional weight of my work can be heavy. Many of my sculptures come from intimate or painful experiences, and sharing those publicly makes me feel very exposed. There’s also the political side of my work. When I express opinions or touch on certain social issues, it can attract backlash, especially when my views don’t align with the mainstream. But I’ve learned to focus on the positive, on the people who feel seen or empowered by my work. That makes it worth it.”
Lastly, we asked if there is a particular sculpture or series that holds a special place in her heart as an artist. Ky shared: “Yes. One sculpture that will always mean a lot to me is the one where I shaped my hair into the bust of a woman having her period. It was such a powerful piece for me personally. I created it to celebrate something that is so natural and yet so stigmatized: menstruation. In many societies, periods are still treated as something dirty or shameful, even though they’re a sign of health and something every healthy woman experiences.
I wanted that piece to say, clearly and proudly, that there is nothing shameful about having a period. It’s part of our biology, it’s part of our strength, and it should be embraced, not hidden. That sculpture was a way for me to reclaim that narrative and invite others to do the same.”
Laetitia Ky expressed a deep connection to her work overall: “In general, I really love all the sculptures I’ve done that celebrate the functions of women’s bodies. I believe women’s bodies are magical, and it means a lot to me to use my art to honor that magic to turn things we’re often taught to hide or be ashamed of into something beautiful, visible, and empowering.”
