You can watch this mini-review on Instagram. 

I’m so into an artist who knows their history, so I was already locked in when I heard Nia Winslow cite Romare Bearden as an inspiration but if I had left it at that, I would’ve missed out on my favorite part of her work: the detail. 

Nia is an HBCU alum and self-taught collage artist based in Brooklyn and as you can see, her work feels familiar. Notably, the figures in her portraits lack faces – which only make it easier for you to see someone you know depicted in her mixed media collages (a cousin, a sister, a classmate) and the understated, solid color backgrounds allow you to add your own story and setting. But these details tho! The way she uses rough edges to create lines, and varying textures of brown to conjure skin tones is best appreciated up close and in person.

Through a partnership between SHEER and Affordable Art Fair, Nia’s work was on display at the Selina hotel in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. While the closing reception signaled the end of the show, you’ll have an opportunity to view and purchase Nia’s work at the Affordable Art Fair this fall. Don’t be afraid to lean in and get a close up – but you know better than to touch our hair.

Thanks to my friends at SHEER for inviting me to the reception and congratulations to Nia. Black love and starlight. Stay shining ya’ll!