Destyni “Desi” Swoope (1998), born to a Puerto Rican-American mother and Bahamian, African-American father, was raised in a small town. As a daydreaming child with artistic inclinations, she found solace and expression in creating. Wrestling with identity while navigating a path as a former athlete, Desi’s aspirations in the realm of art felt distant and
unattainable.
The craftsmanship of her grandmother, a master of various artistic disciplines like sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting, and building, ignited Desi’s creative spark. This familial influence laid the foundation for Desi’s eventual pursuit of a career in fine arts, as well as the longing to preserve cultures through art.
In 2017, Desi embarked on a new journey by cultivating a technique that serves as a personal language of expression. Through vibrant narratives, striking portraits, and evocative landscapes, Desi’s art has emerged as a powerful vehicle for her voice in the art world.
Currently residing in Miami, Florida, Desi is focusing on themes of heritage, culture, and the preservation of deeply rooted aspects within the diaspora, she is forging a path for herself and for others who share similar narratives. Her goal is to tell stories that encapsulate the essence of Afro-Latin and Caribbean descent, fostering dialogue and sparking conversations through her compelling artworks.
Leading Love, 2025
Multimedia acrylic & fiber on canvas, 36” x 36
Leading Love is a portrait of two lovers intimately embracing one another with a romantic dance. The artwork passionately caresses the idea of love, intimacy and romance being much like a slow dance—taken in steps but guided with posture and care. In every dance, one must choose to lead, and the other must choose to follow along. In this portrait, the two lovers meet at the point of surrender to their connection and allow love to lead the way.
