Zak Ové is a British-Trinidadian artist whose work examines loss of culture and identity, giving homage to African history.

It was created in direct reference to a play performed at Somerset House in London, England in 1605 by Queen Anne of Denmark and members of her court who appeared in blackface, which was gradually whitened throughout the performance. The play, according to the artist, "was reflective of the societal shift towards a preference for lighter skin in the early 17th century," which set the scene for justifying *cough* white superiority.