Tanzanian-Nigerian collage artist Marryam Moma intricately reconstructs repurposed archival paper and mixed media, to create vibrant narratives, delving into the complexities of the Black experience. She highlights Black bodies, their strength and joy, while challenging societal perceptions. Moma's work is a masterful tapestry of multidimensional stories. Her collages grace international corporate collections like Microsoft, Google, and Starbucks. Her global impact extends to TV programs and prestigious magazines. Departing from formal architecture, inspired by the mundane and extraordinary, Moma creates layered analog collages from apparently disparate elements that uplift and empower. Moma has exhibited in the US and abroad, creating works that foster understanding and inclusion.
Statement
I chose to escape the rigidity of my formal architecture background in favor of building a creative practice that highlights the experiences of people like me. I depict Black life reframed and reimagined, experiences and highlight Black joy through a multidimensional use of cutouts, layered paper, acrylic paints, gold leaf and shiny mixed media. Contrasting textures, luxurious materials, rich colors and a careful selection of apparently disparate elements come together in my art to spark conversations about the multilayered experiences of Black bodies – including my own – amid persistent societal divisions that stand in the way of the harmony and inclusivity I believe in.
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