Tanzanian-Nigerian creative Marryam Moma is an Atlanta-based interdisciplinary artist with an emphasis on collage art. Marryam holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the Tyler School of Art, at Temple University in Philadelphia. Marryam's formal studies at Tyler, combined with her tenure as a fit and fashion illustration model, learning during formal fashion classes, inform her design decisions around light, color, texture and balance within her compositions. Kara Walker, Hannah Hoch, Lorna Simpson and Mickalene Thomas influence her principal style and creative delivery.
Moma is intrigued by using collage as a medium to examine themes of faith and higher consciousness, societal issues while celebrating the human form and reinforcing ideas about individuality and self-love. The clarity, discipline and execution of her work in the collage medium reflects applied strengths from a formal education in architecture.
Collaging melds the palette of re-purposed pieces together into fresh, layered imagery with new associations and meanings that subliminally engage the subconscious. The process of deconstructing images and then re-integrating many pieces to create something completely new is an intuitive and ongoing visual experiment where color, texture, shape and space
come into play.
More recently, you will find Moma’s collages in the Starbucks Permanent Art Collection. Moma has also exhibited in Miami at PRIZM Art Fair during Art Basel, in Atlanta, GA at Kai Lin Art Gallery, Zucot Gallery, MasonFine Art, Facet Gallery, MINT Gallery and Notch 8 Gallery. You can also find several of her pieces within BrightHouse Media Company and Legacy Studios Estate Law Firm. She has exhibited internationally in Abuja, Nigeria and Daresalaam, Tanzania. It is Marryam’s long term intention is to create an art platform focused on reaching children in under-served communities to stimulate and encourage artistic expression.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
At the core of my art practice, I aim to empower and uplift the black female body. Unveiling the magic within this race of people breaks collective contemporary stereotypes, thus changing attitudes and perceptions of black women, allowing society to discover her beauty, ability to add value, appreciate and celebrate her. My collages are focused on elevating the importance of the black experience and this body, in a commitment to exploring the space where spirituality and higher consciousness, gender, race, and sexuality intersect.
Each collage begins with a premise, sometimes inspired by the savored experience, history, societal views or simply an evocative piece of paper. Inspired by the study of architecture, nature, fashion, music, and culture, I create collages within a rigorous subtractive process that is layered, textured raw and earthy, detailed, yet interestingly fresh, clean and simple.
Like a mystery, the composition evolves one piece at a time. I continue to edit and employ possible elements and media to complete the composition. Designing ultimately melds the palette of recycled pieces together into fresh, layered imagery with new associations and meanings that invite the viewer to take inventory of their thoughts regarding and give way to alternative thought.
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 into the higher self through racial reconciliation and gender equality. I hope to create a space in which the black body is celebrated.