ORLANDO, Fla. — Wanda Raimundi-Oritz, an Afro-Latina award-winning artist, said her latest art project is inspired by African hair.

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She said for her, African hair is beautiful, but she understands not everyone shares the sentiment. It's something she learned as a young girl in New York.

“I would go to a Dominican beauty parlor and the issue was, ‘Aren’t you going to straighten your hair?’ and I was like ‘no.’" Raimundi-Ortiz said.

She said she refused to straighten her hair to gain acceptance.

"Why would I 'relax' my hair when it's not stressed?" Raimundi-Ortiz said she would tell those who would try to change her hair.

She said she hopes her artwork can help other people see the beauty in their hair.

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