Artist Statement

As a Black queer woman who can't help but make art about my identity, I often feel pressured to dream of a Grand Future where the struggles of my ancestors have not been in vain, and where the visions of the revolutionaries before me have finally come to fruition. But the truth is, this is not always my dream. I dream of being the main character, of living alone, having a dog, drinking wine, throwing an elaborate dinner party where all of my guests are fully and undoubtedly enamored with me, eating time for breakfast, writing love letters, waking up earlier, being a person who has their life together, becoming an artist, having children, getting divorced, finding a six foot tall girlfriend, marrying a man named Clint, advocating for myself more, tucking someone into bed, moving across the world, moving back in with my parents, writing an album, becoming a millionaire, painting a mural, making a sculpture, selling out, becoming the most popular girl at school, becoming a recluse, learning Swahili, getting swole, cutting my hair, wearing more dresses, figuring out how to fall in love with everyone I meet, speaking my mind, singing, dancing, growing up. There is a unique kind of vulnerability and power in taking up space (even if only in your head) to say “I'm the main character," and I invite you to explore that with me.

Artist Bio

Nia Musiba (she/they) is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Portland, Oregon. Her identity as an African-American woman and the daughter of a Tanzanian immigrant influence her art and her discovery of Black history. She views her depictions of Black and brown bodies within her work as a direct response to the hyper-sexualization, brutalization, and overall negative depictions of BIPOC individuals within art and media.