Now more than ever, and for the rest of my life I want to be an ally for my POC friends. I’ve never considered myself a racist, I thought I was already an ally, but now I know that’s not enough. There’s so much more work to be done, and one of the small pieces of that work is to amplify black voices. That’s what I want to do today.

Being an artist, most of my Instagram feed is filled with the work of other artists. I’m obsessed with art and nothing makes me happier than finding the work of someone I’ve never heard of, or seeing new art from artists I’ve loved for years. I’ve never really considered the race of these artists that I follow. But I started to dig into how many artists of color I followed, and began to read more about these artists’ stories and their motivation for creating. The biggest take-away I had when reading more about these artists, some who I’ve been following for years is just how much their race and identity factor into their art-making process. As a white person, that is something I’ve never even considered to be a factor in my own art-making process. It really made me check myself and appreciate their art on a whole new level.

I hope you’re inspired as much as I am by these artists. I encourage you to follow them and read more about each of their individual journeys and their art-making processes.

In her own words she “creates a vast variety of work that focuses on diversity and bridging her two halves on her walk with identity in being both black and white. Creating conversations around identity, race, and womanhood. Most of Lauren’s work features portraits of either individual she has met in her own personal walk as an artist or is derived from her own imagination and a melting pot of faces. Using an array of materials as well as color to highlight the beauty of people of color in her life.”

Original piece from the “Geo” collection, Lauren McKenzie-Noel

See more of Lauren’s work here.

In her own words, “with a background in fashion design, artist Mafalda Vasconcelos turned to art as a way of exploring her biracial identity and the different cultural influences in her life. Born in South Africa and growing up in Mozambique, there is an evidence of African influence through Mafalda’s visual work. Through learning about her own culture, the artist developed a unique artistic style that has a contemporary theme and aesthetic. Now residing in Melbourne, Mafalda continues to explore the female figure and soul, through a multicultural lens and with some fashion elements.”

“The inspiration behind Mafalda's work is symbolism and spiritualism based in her Mozambican culture. The artworks she creates are based on souls rather than real human figures representing her ancestors from the Nharinga people of Mozambique. The stylized and symbolic features that suggest human form and express strong human emotions. Souls are similar to spirits, they transport our energy and emotion and so Mafalda explores that in her art. Using often dark figures, she portrays the African women who have raised her and inspire her every day. The colorful geometrical shapes and symbols are a language that Mafalda has developed through exploring the visual elements in African art and in her own mixed and diverse background.”

See more of Mafalda’s work here.

In the brand’s own words, “A A K S was founded by Akosua Afriyie-Kumi with the goal of introducing the world to her favorite weaving techniques done by the women of Ghana while also creating and igniting sustainable jobs within Africa. Handcrafted in Ghana, A A K S creates bags in styles that maintain the spirit and durability of their ancestral counterparts characterized by bright exuberant colors.”

“The essence of A A K S design philosophy is a complex combination of thoughts, design element which come from a critical attention to craftsmanship, authenticity and ethical values in their production ; while having a strong sense of identity and quality. Each collection silhouette is unique and tells a different story through detail, color and shape. Akosua is connected to every stage of the design and production process to oversee and ensure that the end result is imbued with the spirit and soul worthy of the A A K S stamp.”

Shop the full collection here.

In their own words, “Yes, my name is actually Loveis Wise (they/them) but I'm also a Freelance Illustrator based in Los Angeles from Washington, DC. In addition to being a (double) Capricorn (Libra rising) who is obsessed with the color pink.”

In an interview with Society6, she says “As you grow older, you start to learn more about the world and it’s very important as an artist to be able to add to the conversation with your work and contribute to the world with your message. Or what you feel is important to you. So I mean especially right now in our political time, I felt it was very important for me to create something that sat with people, something that they can connect with and feel comfortable in. And still taking this strong political message whether it be about self-love or self-care or learning about what’s happening with mothers of color. It’s very important for me to make work that shares that message.”

More of their illustrations here.

In her own words, she “is a contemporary painter who lives and works in Dallas, TX. Raised in a matriarchal home, her work pays homage to her family and their legacy. Her distinctive personal style challenged a stereotype of black women constructed by society and the media.”

“Her portraitures evokes both vulnerability and strength in the figures, either through posture, physical interaction, or compositional format. Gesture and poses are presented as powerful, whether through sexuality or assurance, while facial expressions and anatomical detail are left reduced and neutral within empty or vague settings.”

Check out more of her work here.

In her own words, she “is a slow nomad Illustrator & Artist currently working and living in Antwerp (Belgium).”

“Using raw lines, organic shapes, and an earthy color palette, Araki uses her minimalist style for commercial commissions as well as for her personal work which is informed by her strong interest for spirituality, slow living, folklore, visual anthropology, somatic practices, and her multicultural experiences. Since 2019, Araki has created a curated brand and tiny artist press project called PRECIOUSIMPLICITY. Her wish is to inspire people to slow down, appreciate the beauty of simplicity, and live more consciously.”

Amplify Black Voices

See more of Lauren’s work here.

See more of Mafalda’s work here.

Shop the full collection here.

More of their illustrations here.

Check out more of her work here.

See more of her work here.