Myriam
Tanzanian-Nigerian Marryam Moma is a visual artist who holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Tyler School of Art, Temple University in Philadelphia. Moma melds the palette of repurposed hand-cut pieces, paper and media together into fresh, layered imagery with new associations. Deconstructing images, then re-integrating them to create something new, is an intuitive and ongoing visual experiment where color, texture, balance, shape and space come into play.
Moma is enthralled by the creative works of Lorna Simpson, Deborah Roberts and (after a recent visit to view My Body, My Rules at The PAMM), re-discovered and fell in love with Wangechi Mutus’ collage and mixed media art. The architecture and sculptures of David Adjaye, Phil Freelon and Alexander Calder also influence her principal style and creative delivery. Moma uses collage to explore the space where spirituality, gender, race and identity, and sexuality intersect. She celebrates the human form in her work and reinforces ideas about individuality and self-love. The clarity, discipline, and execution of Momas work reflects applied strengths from a formal education in architecture.
You will find Momas work in The Jealous Curator, the Microsoft permanent art collection, the Starbucks permanent art collection, Kai Lin Art Gallery, Zucot Gallery, MINT Gallery, Jus Lookin’ Gallery, Knowhere Art Gallery and exhibited at PRIZM, during Miami Art Basel 2019 and more. Her work has been featured on Cherish The Day, BET, Rolling Out AM Podcast, Radiant Health Magazine, Showfields, Pop Science Magazine, Create! Magazine, ART Seen magazine and on the cover of the XXL Magazine Freshman Class of 2021 Issue. In August 2021, Moma completed a public art installation with the National Black Artists Foundation in Atlanta, GA and public art installation in Macon, GA for DASHBOARD US. Moma is included in Artsy’s “22 Artists To Discover at New York’s September Fairs” after exhibiting with Dominique Gallery in New York, at The Future Fair, September 2021. Marryam Moma currently lives, loves, and creates in Atlanta, GA.
At the core of my art practice, I aim to empower and uplift the Black body, especially the Black female body. Unveiling the magic within this race, breaks collective contemporary stereotypes. Thus, changing attitudes and perceptions of black women, allowing society to re-discover her: Powerful, complex, beautiful, revered, and valuable. My collages are focused on elevating the importance of the Black experience and body.
Empowering that body through my work, I create collages within a rigorous subtractive process that is layered, detailed, textured, and yet minimalist on delivery. Like a mystery, the composition evolves one piece at a time. I continue to edit and employ possible elements and media to complete the piece.
It is my intention to change the dynamics of how the black body is viewed in a society that is divisive versus inclusive. My work raises awareness that sparks discussions around traveling back inwards and making space for reconciliation with self and other. I ultimately hope to create a space in which the Black body is celebrated.
