Voices of the Diaspora: The Artisans Behind the Canvas

Mildred Jean Thompson (March 12, 1936 – September 1, 2003) was an American artist who worked in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and photography. Critics have related her art to West African textiles and Islamic architecture; they have also cited German Expressionism, music (both American jazz and classical European) and Thompson's readings in astronomy, spiritualism and metaphysics as important artistic influences.

Mimi Cherono Ng’ok (1983- ) is a Kenyan photographer whose work is a visual diary of her life. She explores themes of memory, people, and space in her work. Through documenting the mundane and everyday she can capture moments of great personal significance. Her photographs evoke nostalgia and melancholy as she travels across the African continent.  Ng'ok received her BFA from the Michaelis School of Fine Art at the University of Cape Town in 2007.  ⁠

Moffat Takadiwa (1983- ) is a Zimbabwean sculptor. Takadiwa uses found objects such as computer parts, bottle caps, and toothbrushes to create large, tapestry-like works. His works center on his Kerokero heritage. He also comments on consumerism, inequality, post-colonialism, and the environment through his material usage.   Takadiwa received a BA Honors from Harare Polytechnic College, Zimbabwe in 2008.

Morel Doucet (1991- ) is a Haitian-American multidisciplinary artist and arts educator. He works with ceramics, illustrations, and prints to discuss the impact of climate gentrification, migration, and displacement affecting Black communities in the African diaspora. His work speaks to the urgency of climate change.  Doucet received his BFA in CeramicMaryland Institute College of Art in 2013. 

Moridja Kitenge Banza (1980- ) is a Congolese artist working across painting, photography, film, drawing, collage, installation, and performance. He blurs the lines between fiction and reality exploring history and memory. He reappropriates codes of religious, cultural, political, social, and economic representations. Banza's diverse practice brings forth a Congolese perspective that speaks to global influence.  Banza received degrees from the Académie des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa, the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Nantes Métropole, and the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences at the Université de La Rochelle.

Murielle Kabile is a photographer known for her expertise in styling Afro-textured hair. She works to ensure the hair is accepted and that the beauty comes through. 

Myrlande Constant  (1968- ) is a Haitian textile artist specializing in Vodou-themed flags, or drapo Vodou. Constant has transformed the genre, opening up the once male-dominated field to women. One of her innovations to the medium was incorporating tambour into the flags. She works in reverse so she does not see the full design of a flag until it is finished. This allows her to work intuitively. 

Nahom Teklehaimanot (1991- ) is an Ethiopian artist who creates collages and paintings. He takes inspiration from the creativity of children's stories and lullabies. His work sits in the space between migration and lived experiences.  Teklehaimanot received a Diploma in ICT (Information Communication Technology) from the SMAP Institute of Training, Education, and Consultancy, Eritrea.

Nakeya Brown (1988- ) is an American photographer who creates work that references Black beauty culture. Some of her photographs critique the way hair products and services and the work they do to reinforce Eurocentric beauty standards.  Brown received her Bachelor of Art from Rutgers University and her Master of Fine Arts from George Washington University.

Nandipha Mntambo (1982- ) is a Swazi photographer, painter, and sculptor. Many of her sculptures incorporate cowhides as a nod to her cultural background. They also speak to her interest in the connections between the animal and human world. Mntambo is deeply interested in the human body and explores dichotomies like femininity/ masculinity, attraction/repulsion, life/death in her work.  Mntambo received a Master’s in Fine Art from the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town in 2007.