Black Women Genius Conversations Art & Healing

Saturday, May 18 | 2 pm – 3 pm  

Enjoy a roundtable conversation exploring Black women identity through the contemporary works of Black Women Genius fiber artists  Aliana Grace Bailey, Murjoni Merriweather and Nastassja Swift. These artists will discuss how their soft sculptural and woven installations become transformative narratives embracing healing and love for Black women and Black culture. 

Aliana Grace Bailey’s art is a powerful journey of self-discovery, celebrating Black womanhood, and honoring the sacred aspects of life. Through her creative expressions, she weaves intricate narratives using vibrant colors and environments, inviting viewers to join her on a path of self-awareness.Through her work, she weaves layers of interconnection, comfort, and storytelling. Her art beautifully juxtaposes notions of beauty, optimism, and, at times, the harsh realities of life. Aliana Grace Bailey’s creations are a testament to the power of art as a transformative and healing force.

Murjoni Merriweather’s art is a response to and a rejection of these negative stereotypes about Blackness, both within and outside the Black community. It involves dismantling European beauty standards imposed on Black people while promoting and normalizing Black culture. Embracing their hair, skin, and features without shame, her artwork celebrates various facets of Black culture, from hair and grills to nail art.

Nastassja Swift is an artist who specializes in making sculptures using wool. She creates soft sculptures that tell stories about history, women, spirituality, and community connected to the human body.She gets inspiration from West African masks and Yoruba rituals, using techniques like needle felting and working with fibers to bring her ideas to life.Her portraits challenge traditional ideas of who we celebrate, question historical accounts, and share Black people’s rich experiences and memories.