Nina Chanel Abney is an American artist who has made waves in the art world with her unique style and bold pieces. Her art is known for its bright colors, graphic shapes, and socio-political commentary that often touches on issues of race, gender, and politics.
Early Life and Education
Abney was born in Chicago in 1982 and grew up in a family of artists. Her mother was a painter and her father was a jazz musician. Abney attended Augustana College in Illinois where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree before moving to New York City to attend Parsons School of Design where she received her Master of Fine Arts degree.
Style
Abney’s style is characterized by bold colors, graphic shapes, and pop culture references. She often uses bright primary colors such as reds, yellows, and blues to create striking imagery that draws the viewer in. Her work also incorporates elements of street art, graffiti, and comic book art which gives it a youthful energy.
Themes
Abney’s work often addresses themes related to race, gender, and politics. She uses her art as a platform to comment on social issues such as police brutality, gun violence, and the Black Lives Matter movement. In an interview with The Guardian she said “I think it’s important for me to create images that reflect what’s happening around me but also have an element of humor or playfulness.”
Influences
Abney cites a wide range of influences including pop culture icons such as Michael Jackson and Madonna as well as artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. She also draws inspiration from the works of contemporary artists such as Kara Walker and Kerry James Marshall.
- Michael Jackson: Abney has said that Michael Jackson was one of her earliest influences and that his music and style had a profound impact on her as a child.
- Jean-Michel Basquiat: Abney has cited Basquiat’s use of text and image in his work as an influence on her own style.
- Kara Walker: Abney has said that she admires Walker’s ability to address difficult social issues in her art.
Exhibitions
Abney has exhibited her work in galleries around the world including the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, and the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University. In 2017, she had a solo exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center which featured over 30 paintings and collages.
Awards
Abney has received several awards for her work including the Joyce Alexander Wein Artist Prize from Studio Museum in Harlem and the Art Matters Grant. In 2019, she was named one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30” for art and style.
Conclusion
Nina Chanel Abney is an artist who is making waves with her unique style and bold pieces. Her use of bright colors, graphic shapes, and pop culture references gives her work a youthful energy while also addressing important social issues. With exhibitions around the world and awards under her belt, Abney is definitely an artist to watch in the coming years.