AMM Spotlight: Nichole Washington

Exhibit Artwork, Nichole Washington – Rebellious Black Girl – The Untitled Space, New York February 2020. CREDIT: Nichole Washington

Nichole Washington “Rebellious Black Girl” a solo exhibition of artworks in celebration of Black History Month. Nichole Washington is a visual artist who is becoming known for her mixed media artworks exploring feminine strength, spirituality and identity. In 2016 she graduated from School of Visual Arts where she earned a masters degree in digital photography. Since earning her degree her work has been exhibited in galleries and institutions across the United States including the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. In 2017 she was one of ten recipients of the Enfoco Photography Fellowship. Washington’s work is featured in the inaugural issue of “MFON: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora” and has been featured in several benefit auctions including The Heliotrope Foundation, Groundswell and Art4Equality. Her work has been exhibited in a number of group shows at The Untitled Space including BODY BEAUTIFUL, IRL: Investigating Reality, ONE YEAR OF RESISTANCE, and SHE INSPIRES. This was the artist’s first solo show at the gallery and her debut solo show in New York City.

Nichole Washington - Rebellious Black Girl - The Untitled Space, February 2020 — Exhibit Artwork, Nichole Washington – Rebellious Black Girl – The Untitled Space, New York February 2020. CREDIT: Nichole Washington

Nichole Washington pushes the boundaries of her identity by creating portraits that are bold, non-conforming and liberated. She uses manipulated photographs and bold paint strokes to figuratively and literally break out of “the box” of normative behavior. Through this process she creates super heroine characters that exist in an imagined space meant for healing and transformation. The work features unique symbols that are used as a secret form of communication and protection. In her artist statement Washington speaks about the inspiration behind her latest series”,”Growing up in the suburbs of Roseville, Minnesota, I was often burdened by monolithic views of what it meant to be a black girl. The way I spoke, dressed and wore my hair were often scrutinized. Today, many black girls and women must navigate these same struggles and because of racism as well as sexism they are not afforded the luxury of being looked at without bias. These works represent a rejection of the limited ideas placed upon my existence. They blur the lines between real and imagined, creating unique myths that make space for the many layers of my identity.”