Marryam Moma

Marryam Moma, a Tanzanian-Nigerian Collage artist, chose to leave the rigidity of her formal architecture background to build a creative practice that highlights the experiences of people like her. She depicts Black life and joy through a multidimensional use of cutouts, layered paper, acrylic paints, gold leaf, and shiny mixed media. Contrasting textures, luxurious materials, rich colors, and a careful selection of seemingly disparate elements come together in her art to spark conversations about the multilayered experiences of Black bodies—including her own—amid persistent societal divisions that hinder the harmony and inclusivity she envisions. In the newest iteration of the ‘ICONoclasts’ series, Moma continues to celebrate, uplift, and empower Black bodies central to the Atlanta community through analog collage. This continuation is especially fitting as the exhibition opens at the Atlanta Contemporary, a haven for the arts in Atlanta, GA. The new works focus on ICONs within the Atlanta community who are door openers and path pavers for a more equitable, empowered, and joyous future for Black bodies. By challenging the status quo, her collages stimulate conversations around identity, agency, and social justice. Each precision cut and every amalgamation of vintage and modern materials echo with a quiet defiance that confronts the contradictions of the contemporary world. In this captivating exhibition, Moma delves into the intricacies and subtleties of her subjects, crafting grand visual narratives that embody a high-style sensibility. Through her mesmerizing collages, she invites the observer to recognize and celebrate the profound socio-cultural impact made by her subjects, shedding light on the unsung champions, pillars of strength within the fabric of the Atlanta Community.