Ja'Nia Keith

Ja'Nia Keith - Curatorial Rationale

Since a young child, I have been wildly fascinated by colors. Usually, by a certain age you grow out of that phase, but not me. The way color defines so much in this world is very interesting to me. Oftentimes people do not realize how abstract it can truly be. These expressions that seem so simple can create a setting in our minds, an illusion if you will. Colors are often used to help compliment something. Many times it can be an emotion we express. All over the world, colors can often represent the same emotions. They are one of the few things that bring the whole world together in unison. We represent them with the same values. Colors bring upon us different moods along with feeling. Even feelings we did not know we could express. That’s the beauty of the small things in this world.

In my work, I always want to put a piece of myself in it, rather than just having my name attached to it. Identity and individuality are not only important themes in my artwork but in my life. I love when my work catches somebody’s eye and they instantly recognize it’s all mine. My personality always transfers into everything I do, it is evident. It is my way of leaving my stamp on this world. Even if its small, it’s still a very large accomplishment. With colors it one of the many thing I feel can express me well. They say things that I could never be able to recite, they speak louder than words most times.

Ja'Nia Keith

Stepped On (February 2020)

Acrylic Paint

9"x9"x12"

I was inspired by Balenciaga's 2013 Graffiti Combat boot with the buckle on it and decided to do my own spin on it. On the left shoe, with my name on it, I created this fun, springtime, pop of color that holds much personality. As for the right shoe, it shows personality but a different kind. This side is darker, somber, as it plays with different objects.

Ja'Nia Keith

On Both Sides (December 2020)

Cardboard, Acrylic paint

12"x10"

I was inspired by the African mask my dad always had sitting around the house. The faces always had the look of calmness on them and I wanted to express that emotion in my own sculpture. My sculpture displays a sense of relief on its face.

Ja'Nia Keith

In My Shoes (December 2019)

Acrylic Paint

6" x 8"

Well, I was my own inspiration for this art piece. The shoe that I modeled my work after are my hip top Nike Air's. The color in the shoes really stood out to me so I just had to incorporate them into my theme. The contrast of the different shades of green really help them to stand out in their own way.

Ja'Nia Keith

Behind It All ( November 2020)

Magazine Papers, String, Cement Clue, Cardboard

9" x 11"

I focused on different shades of pink through the string. I took random people from a magazine expressing different emotions. I made them look like they were peaking through a curtain with the string.

Ja'Nia Keith

E-MO-TIONS (January 2021)

Digital Photography

10"x12"

This piece was the best representation of my overall theme: Colors expressed through Human Emotion. Each color represents a different emotion and how easy it is to recognize what they symbolize.