artist spotlight: shanée benjamin for the one® unity collection

At ONE®, we have always believed that a condom is more than a tool for protection – it can also be a vehicle for conversation, a statement of identity, and a bridge between sexual health and self-expression. Since our inception, we have championed the idea that art and advocacy are inextricably intertwined. When we put interesting artwork on our wrappers, we aren’t just making the product look better; we are breaking down the clinical barriers and the outdated stigmas that often surround sexual health.

With that, art has the unique power to make the uncomfortable comfortable. On a condom wrapper, it serves as a conversation starter or a way to spark a dialogue about consent, safety, and pleasure without the heavy-handedness of traditional health lectures. We’ve seen this impact firsthand through our Art of ONE® collaborations, such as our 2025 partnership with Philadelphia artist Hannah Francis and our long-running design contest. These projects prove that when you combine creative design with sexual health, you create a product that people actually want to carry, share, and talk about.

As we move into Pride month, we are taking this commitment to the next level. We are incredibly proud to announce the launch of the ONE® Unity Collection, featuring the artwork of Brooklyn-based illustrator, Shanée Benjamin.

To get a deeper look at the mind behind the art, we sat down with Shanée to discuss her journey, her creative process, and why she believes art belongs in the world of sexual health.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
“I’m an art director and illustrator based in Brooklyn. My work sits at the intersection of storytelling, identity, and culture, usually centering Black women, softness, power, and joy. I move between brand work, murals, and personal projects, but everything I make is rooted in feeling something first.”

When did you first start getting into art and illustration?
“I started illustrating after work as a way to de-stress. It was just something I loved doing for myself. Then I landed my first project with Vox and realized… oh, this could actually be a career. I quit my corporate job at the WTC in December 2018 and haven’t looked back.’

What artists or styles inspire your work?
“I’m inspired by bold, emotional work - people who aren’t afraid of color, intimacy, or narrative. A mix of fine art, editorial illustration, and everyday Black life. I care more about how something feels than fitting into a specific style.”

Enjoying this so far? Read the full interview at globalprotection.com.