Pain Monsters
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These artworks are made with the idea to combat my chronic pain. These art monsters appear when I am overwhelmed with pain, which is all of the time. However, I do my best to use my creativity to deal with with these emotions through artmaking.
Learn more about my work here: www.canva.com/design/DAETz8JBeAo/YzkY8C512_2T9hJ9hUVB1w/view?website#4 |
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Davinci Art Alliance: Artist Residency
Ode to Philadelphia Street Vendors 2023
These series of drawings are inspired and an ode to the Black and Brown peoples of Philadelphia who sell and offer their services as street vendors, service men and women, streets sales peoples who’s entrepreneurship, hustle and innovation have sustained all of us through our daily wants and needs.
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To Learn more about the original Cries of Philadelphia 1850 pamphlet visit this link below:
digitallibrary.hsp.org/index.php/Detail/objects/1091
To hear me speak about this series of work check out theses links below:
drive.google.com/file/d/1WnQuMdickhBI9PTlDK83cJiuIk-qAxwU/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qUAW5le1DZbPV9tUGLStbozkITX0c3tk/view?usp=drive_link
drive.google.com/file/d/1VO5U6UZ8LFLMn1HRGLC32jmVsyDEbvOM/view?usp=drive_link
Common Space/ Espacio Exhibition
Amber Arts 10th Anniversary
ICE BOX Project-Philadelphia
The exhibition dives into themes that resonate with all of us, including communality, history, memory, collaboration, and investment in community voices. But it’s not just about the past; the show explores the timeless human act of gathering, sharing a meal, and exchanging ideas.
My artwork in the exhibition contribute to the visual landscape of Philadelphia. I have been examining the connections of trash, place and dumping of culture symbolized by the issue of pollution and illegal dumping in and around Philadelphia. Here in this painting I am using color, saturation and shape to create a space that may be familiar. While looking at the piece; think about where you are as the viewer.
Learn more about the exhibition here: www.muralarts.org/blog/common-space-espacio-comun-celebrating-a-decade-of-creativity-with-amber-art-design/
Listen to me speak more about this artwork here: drive.google.com/file/d/1bvEM3GG4PTgX8Gn2QwbEL84TpiypO_kV/view?usp=sharing
My artwork in the exhibition contribute to the visual landscape of Philadelphia. I have been examining the connections of trash, place and dumping of culture symbolized by the issue of pollution and illegal dumping in and around Philadelphia. Here in this painting I am using color, saturation and shape to create a space that may be familiar. While looking at the piece; think about where you are as the viewer.
Learn more about the exhibition here: www.muralarts.org/blog/common-space-espacio-comun-celebrating-a-decade-of-creativity-with-amber-art-design/
Listen to me speak more about this artwork here: drive.google.com/file/d/1bvEM3GG4PTgX8Gn2QwbEL84TpiypO_kV/view?usp=sharing
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 Title: OMW (One My Way)
Medium: Acrylic on round wooden board
Size: 12 inch diameter
Year: 2023
This artwork is for sale
Contact me for any inquiries. All artworks are copyrighted |
Davinci Art Alliance-Philadelphia
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Title: The Weight of It All,
Acrylic and glitter on a 12 inch round wooden board
This artwork is for sale
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As a young child my parents would foster my creativity by giving me beautifully illustrated children's bools that I cherish today. One of those books was called, The People Could Fly, an anthology of African American folklore written by Virginia Hamilton. Reading, writing and research have always been a part of my inspiration process as a visual artists
In one of the stories it told of enslaved Africans that one day just lifted in the air and flew off of the plantation. In this new painting I thought of the "Weight Of It All" The weight that a=has been place on the Black body on this planet. I envisioned this story further to think if Black people could fly and no one knew about it.
This artwork speaks to the urning of weightlessness. To not have to hold the world's weight at least without my consent. These Black bodies are swirling and twirling in the sky on their own time only concerned with how to soar higher.
In one of the stories it told of enslaved Africans that one day just lifted in the air and flew off of the plantation. In this new painting I thought of the "Weight Of It All" The weight that a=has been place on the Black body on this planet. I envisioned this story further to think if Black people could fly and no one knew about it.
This artwork speaks to the urning of weightlessness. To not have to hold the world's weight at least without my consent. These Black bodies are swirling and twirling in the sky on their own time only concerned with how to soar higher.
NoName Gallery- Philadelphia
Exhibition for Artist Of NW Philadelphia
Title: This Is All You Can See, Cuz You Can't Handle The Rest, Acrylic paint, thick medium on wooden board
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This artwork is for sale
Contact me for any inquiries. All work is copyrighted |
These new paintings are form my group exhibition with NoName Gallery in Philadelphia. These artworks were created in a space of self preservation as I recover from the constant disrespect and bombardment of pressures as a Black Women.
Every second is a fight. A fight to smile, a fight to be, a fight to live. At many times I am fighting for my ancestors. In this present time I am also fighting for me for my future me. I am choosing to let me artwork talk, pray and let God do the rest. A lyric I love form rapper Lil' Wayne.
I currently have a series of 6, however I would like to continue to expand to possibly 30, so I can arrange them in various ways. I am going to continue to create artwork to resolve this feeling and further peruse expressing my humanity that is not considered on a daily bases no matter how many DEI webinars folks go to. Or no matter how many core values you write. As a Black women battling the exploitation and disrespect is an job in itself.
Every second is a fight. A fight to smile, a fight to be, a fight to live. At many times I am fighting for my ancestors. In this present time I am also fighting for me for my future me. I am choosing to let me artwork talk, pray and let God do the rest. A lyric I love form rapper Lil' Wayne.
I currently have a series of 6, however I would like to continue to expand to possibly 30, so I can arrange them in various ways. I am going to continue to create artwork to resolve this feeling and further peruse expressing my humanity that is not considered on a daily bases no matter how many DEI webinars folks go to. Or no matter how many core values you write. As a Black women battling the exploitation and disrespect is an job in itself.
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Davinci Art Alliance:
Inside Out, Upside Down, and Sideways During this exhibition I was able to share a budding series that I have been working on to decipher my urban landscape using texture, shape, form and color as spatial language. I am very much interested in landscape, ecology and memory within placemaking. Through these forms and volumes I hope to convey a spatial nostalgia in which I live within.
I am also interested in a visual vernacular when it comes to space, place and urban landscapes. Urban landscapes offer a lot more than than just cubes, rectangles and concrete. Through my close observations and techniques I try to reveal the beauty, tenacity and layers of life within the spirit and conversations of these landscape. This paining has a sibling that comes with it. I will update this image. Learn more about the exhibition here: davinciartalliance.org/inside-out-upside-down-and-sideways?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_campaign_id=65b538cd49e3923f76ea5504&ss_email_id=65b7ef37754f3839740b263b&ss_campaign_name=%F0%9F%8E%AF+Our+February+Exhibitions%21&ss_campaign_sent_date=2024-01-29T18%3A32%3A53Z |
Title: Hoodscape, Acrylic on canvas, 2023
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Philadelphia Black History:
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Title: Sarah Mapps Douglass
Colored pencil, graphite, charcoal, acrylic paint, patterned paper
2024
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Camden Fireworks: Storytelling Quilts
The Journey
I was so excited to be a part of this phenomenal exhibition at the Camden Firework located in Camden New Jersey.
It was so inspiring being among such remarkable artist as you were able to see the range between fire, painting, mixed media and textile manipulation. I have been using textiles and storytelling quilting for a long time, however this was the first time I had the opportunity to exhibit this dimension of my art. So in short I am elated!
"The Journey" visualizes the data, historical records and archives that display the records of the Northern Atlantic Slave Trade where enslaved Africans were transported to and from the shores of Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey using the Atlantic and Delaware River. However this includes many norther states such as New England, Boston, New York and the Mid-Atlantic.
This is part of an ongoing series of artworks where I am exploring the connections of liberation, water, Philadelphia, land and the Black body.
This artwork and the process is a way that I want to continue to highlight the research that I do when being inspired. This quilt is a literal visual mathematical equation, storytelling, and history lesson all hands stitched. Each detail, texture and shape represents something for the viewer to explore, decipher and learn.
Click the link below to watch a video of me sharing my process and inspiration.
drive.google.com/file/d/1FgHHilYgAnTr6GNxr3CYp_0T_cBiwc4u/view?usp=sharing
It was so inspiring being among such remarkable artist as you were able to see the range between fire, painting, mixed media and textile manipulation. I have been using textiles and storytelling quilting for a long time, however this was the first time I had the opportunity to exhibit this dimension of my art. So in short I am elated!
"The Journey" visualizes the data, historical records and archives that display the records of the Northern Atlantic Slave Trade where enslaved Africans were transported to and from the shores of Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey using the Atlantic and Delaware River. However this includes many norther states such as New England, Boston, New York and the Mid-Atlantic.
This is part of an ongoing series of artworks where I am exploring the connections of liberation, water, Philadelphia, land and the Black body.
This artwork and the process is a way that I want to continue to highlight the research that I do when being inspired. This quilt is a literal visual mathematical equation, storytelling, and history lesson all hands stitched. Each detail, texture and shape represents something for the viewer to explore, decipher and learn.
Click the link below to watch a video of me sharing my process and inspiration.
drive.google.com/file/d/1FgHHilYgAnTr6GNxr3CYp_0T_cBiwc4u/view?usp=sharing
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Title: The Journey
Size: 18x27
Medium: Hand stitched, handprinted, cotton fabric, canvas, tule, mirrors
Year: 2024
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TILT: Photo Day PhiladelphiaI had the exciting opportunity to contribute a photo to the TILIT Institute exhibition of Philly Photo Day. This was a great experience where I could share how much I love Philadelphia and the beauty I see everyday in it's residents, history and urban landscape.
I am a Subway Jawn and I am always subway surfing all the time throughout Philadelphia to conduct art programs all over the city so I exhibited a picture of me on the subway. You wont find me in the nail salon or the club, but you can find me on the subway. Learn more about the exhibition by clicking the link below: tiltinstitute.org/event/philly-photo-day-2024-exhibition/ |
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Philadelphia Liberation Center:
People Power-Anti-Imperialist Exhibition
Al- Omari Mosque, Gaza City
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The Philadelphia Liberation Center is a community hub for solidarity, struggle, and socialist political education staffed by volunteers from the Party for Socialism and Liberation. I had the important opportunity to use my art to contribute to this important exhibition that pushed commentaries on the war in Palestine.
Black and Brown people have been in solidarity with the peoples of Palestine and their fight for land sovereignty for a long time. In the 1950s, Malcom X was one of the earliest major African-American figures to support the Palestinian cause. Later in the 1960's, The Black Panther Party continued to supported the Palestinian cause. In this painting I wanted to capture the Al-Omari Mosques that was demolished during the war in October 2023. This mosques was located in the middle of Gaza City and had been there and in operation since the 4TH CENTURY! Now it is currently in rubbles with only a few minarets sill standing. I wanted to create this painting to commemorate the long standing history of a people living and thriving in the Fertile Crescent before all the conflicts in Palestine. Mosques are used for so mam things to support communities that live there around it. To think that tis building was ruined is devastating to me and is another form of violence. I hope this painting can be another way to remember the humanity, resilience and faith of the Palestinian People. ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE! |
Title: Al-Omari Mosque, Gaza City
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Size: 9x12
Year: 2024
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Icebox Project Space: Now, With Everyone
I had the wonderful opportunity to share two of my newest paintings in my recent exhibition, Now, With Everyone. Icebox Projects is such an exciting exhibition space and I was honored to be show artwork with other talented Philadelphia artists. I have been working on painting and drawing clouds and I wanted to convey the feelings of the labor it takes to rest.
These paintings are about what it takes to seek out peace, rest and restoration specifically for the Black body. I have been thinking of the weight of a cloud and the weight upon Black shoulders. I wanted to explore the tuffs, mass and forms that billow and bubble when one Black mind is able to form their ideals of freedom without being interrupted.
The mass of the clouds also speak to the mounds of dumping that I see around the city. The color Black in the clouds represent inspiration and the glitter represents the vastness of imagination achieved once rest had been applied.
These paintings are about what it takes to seek out peace, rest and restoration specifically for the Black body. I have been thinking of the weight of a cloud and the weight upon Black shoulders. I wanted to explore the tuffs, mass and forms that billow and bubble when one Black mind is able to form their ideals of freedom without being interrupted.
The mass of the clouds also speak to the mounds of dumping that I see around the city. The color Black in the clouds represent inspiration and the glitter represents the vastness of imagination achieved once rest had been applied.
Title: Rest Pilles I
Medium: Acrylic, thick medium, glitter on canvas
Size: 18x24
Year: 2024
Detail of Rest Piles II
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Title: Rest Piles II
Medium: Acrylic paint, thick medium, and glitter on a round wooden board
Size: 12 inches
Year: 2024
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Pancakes and Booze: Philadelphia
I had such a great time at Pancakes and Booze Philadelphia. I didn't have any booze, but my new obsession of painting and pancakes has been born! I
had the pleasure of exhibiting with other Philly artists and artisans and it was so much fun! During the experience I showed some of my newest mixed media paintings and I also did live painting. These artworks are inspired by energy flow. I used the color to encourage a sense of temperature and movement. In addition to the paint I incorporated tissue paper balls that support the color conversation and add another level of dimension. These artworks took over 200+ hours to complete. Energy is engulfed in each ball and every color was chosen precisely. Each ball is the same size purposefully. I also used this technique and process to cope with my chronic pain while making the artwork. 
Pancake and Booze Art Show 2024
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Size: 12 inches
Medium: Acrylic paint, tissue paper and glitter on a round wooden board
Year: 2024
Size: 18x24
Medium: Acrylic paint, tissue paper and glitter on canvas
Year: 2024
Detail of artwork
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Davinci Art Alliance: Perennial Visions
I had the pleasure of being a part of this exhibition where I was able to share one of my newest artworks. It is always phenomenal to show with other talented artists. This art work has multiple dimensions with 2D and 3D.
As I develop my visual language, I am interested in exploring various textures to convey an expression. The process of making this work was self regulating and mediative. Each tissue paper balled up is me imagining crushing my own chronic pain. |
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Collide Zine Philly-Issue 8
Collide Zine Philly is one of the best places to lee pan eye on emerging artists, writers comic artists and illustrators, I had the honor to share one of my newer paintings in this issue. These works are a fairly new expression that I have been working on. In these artworks I am using color theory and saturation to create a visual destination or mindscape.
In this edition my artwork collaborated with another writer and I think it paired really well.
To learn more about my work and where you can purchase the magazine click the link: www.patreon.com/CollideZinePhilly/shop/issue-8-digital-614337?source=storefront
In this edition my artwork collaborated with another writer and I think it paired really well.
To learn more about my work and where you can purchase the magazine click the link: www.patreon.com/CollideZinePhilly/shop/issue-8-digital-614337?source=storefront
Visual Art Journal-No. 9 September 2024
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It has been such an honor to have been interviewed in Visual Art Journal. I have admired the magazine and I am too excited to be in such a great publication of my peers. This was not my first time in a publication, however this was the first time I was interviewed in such an intentional way.
This was such a great opportunity and experience. I loved seeing my artwork in this format and I am really proud of the art and how it is represents me. Interviews allow me to share a bit of my the ethos with my inspirations. I love watching and reading about other artists and their interviews. I think you can learn a lot. We all have a story and ways to connect and I am really excited to share my interview for readers. Learn more about Visual Art Journal to subscribe and to read my article by clicking the link below: visualartjournal.com/2024/09/15/jihan-thomas/ |
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Cultureworks and Davinci Art Alliance:
Sound and Vision Exhibition
I had such the pleasure of exhibiting with other DVAA artists. This newer artwork uses color saturation, shape and form to communicate my experience in the Philadelphia landscape. Issues on climate change, illegal dumping and urban planning are all layers within this work.
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Title: This Is Why I'm Hot
Size: 18x30
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Year: 2023
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