Artist STATEMENT
photo credit:Chris Charles
In the realm of artistic expression, I am a polymath—artist, poet, storyteller, singer, performer, educator, mother, and athlete. My creative journey orbits the fluidity of identity, delving into the intricate emotional landscapes of the soul. Through a fusion of sonic vibrations, English and Shona songs, writing, theatre,spoken word, poetry, and storytelling, I give voice to the profound depths of human experience.
As both an artist and athlete deeply committed to community engagement, the honor of having my poem "We BE WOMXN" displayed at Boston City Hall through the Mayor's Poetry Program in 2021 is a testament to my dedication. Inspired by Trailblazhers, a female-run crew i belong to fostering safe spaces for BIPOC women, my work mirrors their mission of social justice and community building.
In my diverse projects, I continually push the boundaries of artistic expression, aiming to connect with others on profound and meaningful levels. By giving voice to the complex emotional geography of the soul, I seek to inspire, heal, and ignite conversations that resonate with the depth of human experience.
My personal narrative is one of being "Othered" within my own family, seeking asylum from two continents—Africa and America. Influenced by legacies of colonialism, apartheid, protest, grief, loss, and love, this duality fuels my work. As a child of divorce, a member of a multicultural family, and the eldest, these themes consistently emerge in my creative expression. Mental illness, woven into my family history, becomes a focal point for healing, connection, witnessing, and amplifying women's voices through my art.
Rooted in my Zimbabwean-American background, my art practice explores the constraints and expansiveness of my Ndau and Ndebele heritage. This duality manifests in the physicality of my performances, vocal musings, clothing choices, precise diction, and evolving sonic intonations during storytelling and song. Drawing from the medicine woman heritage ingrained in my bloodlines, I wrap and emotionally pull people into my work.
Considered an Emotional Anthropologist, I seek to understand life's undercurrents, challenging prescribed notions of womanhood, strength, love, beauty, freedom, motherhood, and family. My favorite muses are my husband and son.
Through my art, I craft a country within my body—a space of solace, understanding, and creativity. By embracing my multifaceted identity and amplifying the voices of others, I hope to leave a lasting impact on the world and spark transformative conversations that transcend boundaries.