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Black Art & Design

News and thoughtful perspectives on the world of black art & design

Black Art & Design is a space to explore the work of Emerging and Established Black Creatives in the Art World. 

Christopher Cox May 23, 2023 Art ·

In Vivid Surreal Portraits, Aïda Muluneh Borrows Visual Language From Religious Iconography to Explore Politics and Identity

For her new series of public art installations presented over 330 bus shelters across the United States, and Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire , Ivory Coast based photographer Aïda Muluneh drew inspiration from Ethiopian poet Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin’s “This is where I am.” Written in 1974–the year that marked Muluneh’s birth in Ethiopia and the start of the Ethiopian Revolution–the poem and the resulting body of photographs are markedly personal.

Set against hand-painted backdrops, The series of 12 new works examines the artist’s experiences as an immigrant and Ethiopian woman. The compositions are rich in symbolism and allude to the social structures and political formations of Ethiopia, her home country. Muluneh also uses props that serve as cultural references, such as jebena, traditional Ethiopian coffee pots, keys, chairs, and stars.

Muluneh’s works shown here were on view across New York, Boston, and Chicago in the United States, and Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire until 21 May as part of Public Art Fund . Find more of her exquisite renderings on her site and Instagram.

Aïda Muluneh ” To speak in silence”, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh ” To speak in silence”, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh ” They judgement”, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh ” They judgement”, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.

My work is a visual diary of my experiences in my country and abroad. With this said, I am heavily inspired by my culture and our stories. Each image has its own coding with messages specifically aimed at my Ethiopian audience. The colors I use, symbols and objects I use on my sets are expressions that I bring together from Ethiopian spirituality and culture.

Aïda Muluneh
Aïda Muluneh ” They know me not”, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh ” They know me not”, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh ” The weakness of power”, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh ” The weakness of power”, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.

 I have always been a fan of public art installations, since they are the best way to engage the public that might not necessarily visit galleries or museums — in a sense, bringing the art to the people.

Aïda Muluneh
Aïda Muluneh ” This is where I am “, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh ” This is where I am “, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh “On remembrance of wrongs “, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh “On remembrance of wrongs “, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh ” If they come for me in the morning “, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh ” If they come for me in the morning “, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh “The stubborn will of darkness and light “, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.

Aïda Muluneh “The faith of fate “, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.
Aïda Muluneh “The faith of fate “, 2022. Part of Aïda Muluneh: This is where I am”, presented by Public Art Fund.

10 Art Shows by to See in New York This July

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Architect Sir David Adjaye Steps Away From Major Roles Amidst Misconduct Allegations

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Acclaimed Ghanaian British architect Sir David Adjaye has stepped away from a number of roles after The Financial Times reported …
Yinka Ilori's Parables for Happiness Offers Us a Glimpse Into His World

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An Arthropodal Furniture Collection by Designer Omotunwase Osinaike Channels The Allegorical Artefacts Of Africa's Forest Region

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Beauty and Power are Woven Into Iconic Hair Structures by Laetitia Ky

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Egypt Bans Dutch Archaeologists Over Afrocentric Exhibition

Egypt Bans Dutch Archaeologists Over Afrocentric Exhibition

The archaeological community was recently taken aback by the news that a team of Dutch archaeologists from the Leiden National …
A Host Venue at Portugal's Photography Biennial Removes Installation That Highlights It's Links To Slavery

A Host Venue at Portugal’s Photography Biennial Removes Installation That Highlights It’s Links To Slavery

The Porto Photography Biennial, a distinguished photography celebration held annually in Portugal, recently staged a thought-provoking exhibition that garnered significant …
Long Time Collaborators Hank Willis Thomas and Coby Kennedy Unveil A Monumental Sculpture To Inspire Us To Come Together

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Sudan’s National Museum Reportedly Taken Over by Paramilitary Forces

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Long Time Collaborators Hank Willis Thomas and Coby Kennedy Unveil A Monumental Sculpture To Inspire Us To Come Together

Long Time Collaborators Hank Willis Thomas and Coby Kennedy Unveil A Monumental Sculpture To Inspire Us To Come Together
10 Art Shows by to See in New York This July

10 Art Shows by to See in New York This July
Architect Sir David Adjaye Steps Away From Major Roles Amidst Misconduct Allegations

Architect Sir David Adjaye Steps Away From Major Roles Amidst Misconduct Allegations
Yinka Ilori's Parables for Happiness Offers Us a Glimpse Into His World

Yinka Ilori’s Parables for Happiness Offers Us a Glimpse Into His World
An Arthropodal Furniture Collection by Designer Omotunwase Osinaike Channels The Allegorical Artefacts Of Africa's Forest Region

An Arthropodal Furniture Collection by Designer Omotunwase Osinaike Channels The Allegorical Artefacts Of Africa’s Forest Region
Beauty and Power are Woven Into Iconic Hair Structures by Laetitia Ky

Beauty and Power are Woven Into Iconic Hair Structures by Laetitia Ky
Egypt Bans Dutch Archaeologists Over Afrocentric Exhibition

Egypt Bans Dutch Archaeologists Over Afrocentric Exhibition
A Host Venue at Portugal's Photography Biennial Removes Installation That Highlights It's Links To Slavery

A Host Venue at Portugal’s Photography Biennial Removes Installation That Highlights It’s Links To Slavery
Sudan’s National Museum Reportedly Taken Over by Paramilitary Forces

Sudan’s National Museum Reportedly Taken Over by Paramilitary Forces
12-Foot Bronze Sculpture by British Artist  Thomas J. Price Unveiled in Rotterdam, Netherlands

12-Foot Bronze Sculpture by British Artist Thomas J. Price Unveiled in Rotterdam, Netherlands
Artist and Professor, Shellyne Rodriguez, Arrested In New York

Artist and Professor, Shellyne Rodriguez, Arrested In New York

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