In this portrait of filmmaker Ava DuVernay, artist Kenturah Davis used ink-dipped rubber letter stamps that corresponded with the words in a cherished letter from DuVernay’s father. The letter held a message of motivation and encouragement.⁣ ⁣ Kenturah Davis often incorporates writing and language in her artwork. Davis explains that “the quality of the written line is no different than the quality of a drawn line, except with the written line, we’ve assigned meaning to a series of marks.”⁣ ⁣ Visit this artwork on the first floor of the National Portrait Gallery in the “Portrait of a Nation: 2022 Honorees” exhibition. Learn more using the link in our bio.⁣ ⁣ #PortraitOfaNation