{"id":11588,"date":"2021-09-21T03:40:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-21T07:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/?p=11588"},"modified":"2021-09-01T15:49:50","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T19:49:50","slug":"a-visual-feast-for-the-african-diaspora","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/articles\/a-visual-feast-for-the-african-diaspora\/","title":{"rendered":"A Visual Feast for the African Diaspora"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Under the Sun No. 2<\/em> by Rashad Ali Muhammad
16\u201dx12\u201d; specialty papers, African wax fabric, faux flowers, ink on paper; 2021. Courtesy of the artist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FROM KOLAJ 33<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rashad Ali Muhammad’s Artist Portfolio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the core of my art practice, my mission is to empower and uplift the African diasporic identity,\u201d writes Rashad Ali Muhammad. \u201cI want to reveal the power bestowed upon this group of people by their collective ancestors, in a way that negates contemporary social stereotypes.\u201d \u201cUnder the Sun\u201d is a series of collage works where Black figures are adorned and embellished with fragments of flower petals, African textiles, batiks, and glitter. The man in No. 2 stares at the viewer with blue glitter eyes. Concentric halos form around his head. He is swaddled in blue ankara. He is god-like in his power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A portfolio of Rashad Ali Muhammad’s work appears in<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Kolaj\u00a033<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0To see the complete Artist Portfolio,\u00a0SUBSCRIBE<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/em>Kolaj Magazine\u00a0or\u00a0Get a Copy of the Issue<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Under the Sun No. 4 <\/em>by Rashad Ali Muhammad
16″x12″; specialty papers, African wax fabric, faux flowers, acrylic paint, glitter glue on paper; 2021. Courtesy of the artist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCollage is a visual feast that viewers should take their time to digest. It fuses diverse repurposed pieces, each with a distinct meaning that is combined to create new connections and meanings that captivate and engage the mind,\u201d writes the artist.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A portfolio of Rashad Ali Muhammad’s work appears in<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0Kolaj\u00a033<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0To see the complete Artist Portfolio,\u00a0SUBSCRIBE<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/em>Kolaj Magazine\u00a0or\u00a0Get a Copy of the Issue<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rashad Ali Muhammad lives and works in the Washington, DC area. Besides showing work in numerous group exhibitions in the DC area and beyond, the artist has had two solo exhibitions, at Distinctly Creative in Brentwood, Maryland in 2017 and at the Anacostia Arts Center & The Hive in Washington, DC in 2018. His work was awarded Best In Show in the 2021 \u201cMarch Line by Line\u201d exhibit at The Art League. In 2018 and 2020, he received commissions for the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation\u2019s Traffic Box Art Wrap Public Art Program. His work has appeared in <\/em>ArtAscent: Art & Literature Journal, <\/em>American University Magazine, and <\/em>The Sentinel, among others. Learn more at www.ramcreates.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FROM KOLAJ 33 Rashad Ali Muhammad’s Artist Portfolio \u201cAt the core of my art practice, my mission is to empower and uplift the African diasporic identity,\u201d writes Rashad Ali Muhammad. \u201cI want to reveal the power bestowed upon this group…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":11589,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,9],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Under-the-Sun-No2.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2QTD7-30U","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":17335,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/through-the-veil\/","url_meta":{"origin":11588,"position":0},"title":"Through the Veil","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"21 September 2025","format":"gallery","excerpt":"Invoking Amethyst: Soothing, Protection, Willpower by Rashad Ali Muhammad48\"x36\"; mixed media collage (fine art digital print, silk flower petals, acrylic, glitterglue, rhinestones) on canvas; 2024. Courtesy of the artist. COLLAGE ON VIEW Through the Veil at the Eaton Hotel DC in Washington, DC USA18 September-12 December 2025 Rashad Ali Muhammad\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-invoking-amethyst-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-invoking-amethyst-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-invoking-amethyst-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-invoking-amethyst-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16034,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/intersections\/","url_meta":{"origin":11588,"position":1},"title":"Intersections","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"20 December 2024","format":"gallery","excerpt":"Confluence of Spectrum by Rashad Ali Muhammad & Jordann Wine36''x36''; glitter and silk flower petals; 2024. Courtesy of artist COLLAGE ON VIEW Intersections at The Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland, USA23 November 2024-11 January 2025 The \"Intersections\" series presents contrasting artists with distinct viewpoints intersecting in the Mansion\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-jordan-wine-confluence-of-spectrums.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-jordan-wine-confluence-of-spectrums.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-jordan-wine-confluence-of-spectrums.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-jordan-wine-confluence-of-spectrums.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12649,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/liberated\/","url_meta":{"origin":11588,"position":2},"title":"Liberated","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"26 May 2022","format":"gallery","excerpt":"Self Acceptance by Rashad Ali Muhammad11\"x14\"; paper, specialty paper, fabric flower petals, and glitter; 2022. Courtesy of the artist. COLLAGE ON VIEW Rashad Ali Muhammad: Liberated at The Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland, USA7 May-2 July 2022 What does your reality look like if you allow yourself to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-Self_Acceptance.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-Self_Acceptance.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-Self_Acceptance.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/rashad-ali-muhammad-Self_Acceptance.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11357,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/issues\/kolaj-33\/","url_meta":{"origin":11588,"position":3},"title":"Kolaj #33","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"19 July 2021","format":"gallery","excerpt":"SUBSCRIBE OR ORDER A COPY ABOUT THE ISSUE Handling from \u201cThe Lives of Dahlias\u201d series by Leslie Fry is on the cover. The blending of human, natural, and architectural motifs is a hallmark of Surrealism. Fry steps into this arena with a sword of feminist thinking and cuts through the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Issues"","block_context":{"text":"Issues","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/issues\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/K33-Cover.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/K33-Cover.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/K33-Cover.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/K33-Cover.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15589,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/news\/collage-artist-residency-plantations-as-buildings-metaphors-and-systems-of-power\/","url_meta":{"origin":11588,"position":4},"title":"Collage Artist Residency: Plantations as Buildings, Metaphors, and Systems of Power","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"13 October 2024","format":"gallery","excerpt":"RESIDENCY ANNOUNCEMENT Collage Artist Residency: Plantations as Buildings, Metaphors, and Systems of Power at Kolaj Institute 13-17 October 2024 A five-day, in-person collage artist residency in New Orleans About the Residency As part of a year-long investigation of castles as buildings, metaphors, and systems of power, Kolaj Institute will host\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Institute"","block_context":{"text":"Institute","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/institute\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Plantations-Placard.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Plantations-Placard.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Plantations-Placard.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Plantations-Placard.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11701,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/empty-columns-are-a-place-to-dream-knoxville\/","url_meta":{"origin":11588,"position":5},"title":"Empty Columns Are a Place to Dream Travels to the Knoxville Museum of Art","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"13 January 2022","format":"gallery","excerpt":"COLLAGE ON VIEW Empty Columns Are a Place to Dream at the Knoxville Museum of Art in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA4 January-19 February 2022 Book Launch & Talk: Saturday, 29 January 2022 at 2PM EST EXHIBITION INFO\u00a0|\u00a0EVENT RSVP\u00a0|\u00a0ORDER A BOOK Each of the eighteen artists\u2013from eleven countries\u2013in \u201cEmpty Columns Are a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/exhibition-placard-blank-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/exhibition-placard-blank-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/exhibition-placard-blank-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/exhibition-placard-blank-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11588"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11588"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11588\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}