“As I'm getting older and I’m recognizing more complicated feelings within myself, I’m feeling that resistance you know of like… This is what I want to say, and then trying to say it safely, and then having to tell myself… No, you don't have to say it safely, just say it.”

 Melissa: “What is it you want to say?”

“I feel like I’ve been not coming out of my shell I would say, but kind of coming out of the illusion of what I thought adult womanhood would be so as far as just like our place in the world, our hopes, and dreams… so finding ways to comment on that and challenging myself to just say what you feel, don't try to say it or always be the dreamer or always be person instilling positivity because I think that's part of it too like… I’ve given myself a responsibility to speak to positivity.”

 

In this week’s all-new episode of THE IDEALISTS. podcast, host, and entrepreneur, Melissa Kiguwa, speaks with the prolific visual artist, author, and breakout star of Art Basel, Reyna Noriega. Born and raised, in Miami, as an Afro-Caribbean Latina, Reyna has witnessed firsthand how detrimental it can be to not experience positive representation. Thusly, her creative work has centered deeply on navigating the liminal to fill the world with vibrant, joyful depictions of marginalized women. Her work has been exhibited in London and graced covers of The New Yorker, and Science Magazine, and has been featured at Brookfield Place overlooking Freedom Tower in New York City’s financial district. Through her major partnerships with Madewell, Apt2b, and Wayfair, thousands of collectors showcase her art in their homes around the world. Having seen the power of introspection, self-reflection, and healing, Reyna shows us all how an artist can make her way—depicting the various journeys women of color take as we struggle to rise and become our most empowered authentic selves.

in the episode:

  • Reyna leads off the conversation by seeing a need not only for greater representation of women of color, but also a shift in the predominant narrative from one solely of trauma to one inclusive of joy, positivity, and uplifting stories.

  •  Next, she relates her passion for the accessibility afforded by digital art, but also the challenges of its legitimacy as a form. Additionally, in balancing her desire for commercial collaboration with her desire for respect as a fine artist, she is also continually grappling with her legitimacy as an artist while also being able to monetize her work to live. It's the life of a working artist.

  •  Building on this, she talks about the predatory nature of the art market—how one is only successful after death. Being a working, living artist, trying to make room for other artists to do the same, is very much part of her mission right now. With four shows at Art Basel this year, all telling different stories of her own work, and then curating her very first show featuring emerging black and brown artists who aren’t usually showcased there—she is finally realizing this mission in concrete terms.

  •  Lastly, Reyna shares her audacious vision for the world that… Even amid the current climate of negativity on the internet, and the highly divisive nature of society, we might still hold space for more love, compassion, and grace for one another, with more people creating art and a brighter, more joy-filled experience on this planet.

Resource(s):

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