Bio

Vanna Black is an Atlanta native. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Georgia State University, where she fell in love with textiles and surface pattern design. Her design background blended with her love for surface patterns can be seen throughout her work. She leans on two of her top five strengths, connectedness, and positivity, to display the idea of harmony which is represented by mainly flowers not excluding other elements of nature in her work. Vanna draws inspiration from art movements like Art Nouveau, Surrealism, Enlightenment and Romanticism. To help her paint she listens to Mick Jenkins, Nas, OutKast, Lupe Fiasco, Topaz Jones to name a few. She loves to be outside and walk and is heavily inspired by experiencing Nature up close and personal.

Website: www.vannablack.art

Instagram: @therealvannablack

Artist Statement

These three images refer to the history with a hint of nostalgia of what it means to live in Georgia.

You ain’t from ‘round here, R U? is a direct correlation to the theme of this exhibition. What is Georgia without OutKast as the official leaders of the ATLiens? This digital illustration shows them highlighted by a spaceship surrounded by loads of floating peaches. It eludes not only the literal peach crop grown here but a metaphorical honor of homegrown beautiful black women native to Atlanta.

Tribal Rootz (Homegrown) is a digital silhouette of the state of Georgia with the tribal territories of the Apalachee, Cherokee, Creek (Muskogee), Guale, Hitchiti, Miccosukee, Oconee, Timucua, and Yamasee. Version one refers to the crops and petals from the state flower, Cherokee Rose that is produced by Georgia soil. Version 2 is an abstract high of different patterns that represent seeds, mountains, and flowers, as well as tree roots that look like veins.

Young Summers in Georgia, is a digital illustration of surface design patterns both abstract and representational of what my summers were like as a kid, nice juicy peach, swimming at Grant Park, and picking magnolia flowers off the trees in my neighborhood. As well as reference the scorching heat. Magnolias are the perfect representative of what it means to survive the unpredictable weather of Georgia.