Marie-Denise Douyon, a Canadian fine artist with Haitian roots, began a life of migratory journeys. Growing up in North Africa, first in Algeria and then Morocco, her unique childhood experiences were meshed with distinctive artistic expressions and multicultural identities, which shaped her into the artist she is today. This drifting, nomadic lifestyle is deeply reflected […]
A century of Jacob Lawrence calls for celebration, with today marking what would have been the painter and storyteller’s 100th birthday. Regarded as one of the most significant artists of the 20th century, Lawrence was well known for his contemporary and vibrant depictions of everyday life, heavily inspired by his home in Harlem. Here, in retrospect, we […]
We’re celebrating the phenomenal author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 40th birthday by revisiting her globally recognized 2009 TED talk, “The danger of a single story,” and examining its significance. During the talk, Adichie tells the story of how she was able to find her most authentic cultural voice. She discusses her earliest days as a writer, […]
For her very first solo exhibition in New York, the gifted Toyin Ojih Odutola presents “Toyin Ojih Odutola: To Wander Determined,” featuring a fictional series of portraits that narrate the lives of two aristocratic Nigerian families. Illustrated in Ojih Odutola’s signature style, the intimate portraits are life-sized drawings set against rich backdrops depicting family life […]
From Martin to Rugrats, artist Ashleigh Sharmaine is reimagining well-known TV shows and movies with influence from the ‘90s era. In a recent interview with BET, Sharmaine described the three key ingredients that her art is comprised of: nostalgia, crossovers, and concept mash-ups. With her character crossover illustrations, the artist strives to switch the actors with a cartoon […]
On November 4th 2017, the world unexpectedly lost renowned artist Tamara Natalie Madden just two weeks after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Madden’s paintings focused on heightening the everyday person who never had a chance to shine by raising them to the prestige of kings, queens, and warriors. These paintings were primarily based on her […]
Sundance has unveiled the official lineup to be screened at the 2018 festival, which will occur in Park City, Utah from January 18th-28th. Out of 13,468 submissions, the curated 110 films span across 29 distinct countries, with 47 being from first-time filmmakers. This year, Sundance’s lineup is rich with diversity and bold, authentic storytelling that […]
As the highly anticipated portraits of former president Obama and first lady Michelle are unveiled at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery on Monday morning, history is made. Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley, personally selected by the Obamas, are the first African-Americans commissioned to paint official presidential portraits. The artists of choice are stirring conversations […]
Nigerian-British filmmaker Jenn Nkiru’s short film Rebirth Is Necessary is an enthralling work of art. As part of NOWNESS’ Black Star series, the series gave rising directors, such as Nkiru, an opportunity to demonstrate Afrofuturism through their own personal lenses. As the final film in the series, Nkiru leaves us with an array of […]
Through digital art, Aisha Mohamed creates rich portraits of black women placed among ethereal, starry backdrops that highlight the elegance of blackness. As part of her new I Am Not My Hair series, the South London-based artist is showcasing the beauty of baldness in black women, which sends out an empowering message about self-love in […]