AFROmelange, an installation by student artist Blya Krouba, extended through April 2025
This Student Art Exhibit will run from February 1 – March 31. The Jenkins Architecture, Design and Art Library exhibits student artwork throughout the year. Its current installation, AFROmelange by Blya Krouba, is on view Mon-Fri, 8 AM – 6 PM, through April.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT:
“AFROmelange aims to foster a deeper understanding and connection between African and African American women, highlighting the shared humanity and experiences that unite us. My work delves into the layered experiences of Black women, using fabric-printed photographs displayed on clotheslines to symbolize unity and reflect on historical exclusion from photographic representation. This installation not only highlights the resilience of Black women but also references the colonial era’s exclusionary practices. By bringing these women together in intimate settings, photographing them, and capturing their conversations, this project creates a therapeutic space for healing and empathy. It challenges preconceived notions and biases, encouraging viewers to see beyond superficial differences and appreciate the richness of our diverse identities. This project is a phototherapeutic experience, healing not only for the women involved but also for me, as it extends my own journey and identity. Through this exhibition, I hope to create a space for meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding, ultimately strengthening the bonds within our community. AFROmelange is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of acknowledging and celebrating our complex, multifaceted identities.”
ARTIST BIO:
Originally from Cote D’Ivoire by way of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. Blya Krouba is a mixed-media artist who shares her identity and experiences through her art. She recently received her Master’s of Fine Arts from the University of Houston where she has taught Introduction to Photography and Digital Media for two years.