Interview
Kosi Ayanna
Kosi Ayanna (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist, consultant, and learning and development specialist. She has extensive experience as an arts program coordinator, with expertise in curating exhibitions, producing creative projects, and fostering community engagement through the arts. Her artistic work focuses on the elements of nature and the intimate parallel between human and world creation. Much of her work explores the nuances of Otherness through imagined otherworldly beings and spaces while merging the ideas of community, realism, and belonging within the Black diaspora. These created worlds function as portals to the transformation and spiritual guidance experienced by marginalized identities. Her practice juxtaposes color, texture, collage, and film photography to create these realms of transformation. The idea of movement translated throughout represents solitude while translating mental awareness to visual form. Pursuing different styles has become a way of exploring the complexity of oneself, expanding beyond the limitations of phenomenal existence. Having the freedom and flexibility to explore new ideas and techniques encourages her creative process. Inspiration comes from many sources: music, language, film, personal experience, internal reflections, and external connections. She has exhibited work in many group exhibitions and publications over the years. Her work has been exhibited at the ArtRoomDC Gallery in Washington, DC; Rio III Gallery in Harlem, NY; and Riverfront Art Gallery in Yonkers, NY, and featured in print and virtually with The Holy Art Gallery and Artists Talk Magazine in Manhattan, NY.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My background is rooted in community, spirituality, and interdisciplinary creative practice. I am a Black American visual artist, curator, and cultural strategist, and my work explores memory, identity, and interpersonal reflection. I was introduced to the art world in many ways. I grew up surrounded by music, storytelling, and visual culture, and creative expression has always been a way for me to make sense of everything around me. As I got older, I started using art as forms of self-expression, research, reflection, and resistance. Throughout my journey I have learned to connect my creative practice with history, philosophy, and lived experiences along with my studies of humanities and cultural studies.”
What inspires you?
“I am inspired by the idea that nothing is accidental. My work is influenced by music, storytelling, literature, film, visual culture, and personal life experiences. Community is also a source of inspiration. Conversations with friends, family, collaborators, and strangers often become the start of new projects. Seeing how people survive, adapt, love, and imagine keeps me motivated.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I would say the themes I pursue in my art are abstract expressionism and storytelling through learned and lived experiences. Connection with myself and collective experiences in life helps shape these narratives as the foundation of my artistic expression. The underlying message in my work is the sacredness of self. My creative practice explores liberation in mental, emotional, spiritual, and cultural aspects. I find myself also constantly drawn to the elements of nature, the sense of lightness, and the intimate parallel between human and world creation.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would describe my work as intuitive and intentional. Some of my work is guided by research and structure, while others are guided by feeling and instinct. With mixed media and symbolic gestures, I used different mediums to create intimate worlds that explore identity, belonging, and transformation that provoke vulnerability, reflection, and reimagination.”
Which artists influence you most?
“This is a hard question. I am deeply inspired and influenced by many artists, whether it's visually, musically, or intellectually. Solange, Carrie Mae Weems, James Marshall, Kara Walker, Lorna Simpson, and Arthur Jafa. Writers like Zora Neale Hurston, Bell Hooks, Toni Morrison, and James Baldwin. There are many more.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative practice is very personal and emotional. Each piece becomes something I'm deeply connected to. A lot of my work is created during life transitions or inspired by something I'm studying in that moment. I often work intuitively, some projects require a deeper level of vulnerability than I'm used to. I usually let the work lead me instead of trying to force it. Inspiration can come from dreams I've had, memories, conversations, and real-life experiences. When I complete a series, it always feels like a release and gives me permission to sit with myself, honor what I've done, and move forward.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I think an artist's role in society is to be a witness and translate feeling into something physical, especially when it's uncomfortable or inconvenient. Artists hold space for memory, grief, joy, resistance, and imagination. Artists have always been archivists of time. We document how people live, love, struggle, and dream. In many ways, our work becomes proof of life. As the world becomes more digital, I think the artist's role is becoming more spiritual and intentional. I also see more artists stepping into roles as educators, and community builders, cultivating conversations and reimagining the ways of humanity.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Yes. One of my favorites was my first digital exhibition in Times Square, NY. Seeing my art on billboards was very overwhelming and affirming at the same time.”
Website: wwww.kosiayanna.com
Instagram: @000070n
