Naijah Nine
they/them
www.Naijahnine.com
Fast Girls Running Faster (2023)
Poplar wood, Acrylic Paint, gel pen
The term “fast” when used to describe a young girl’s sexuality is a form of gendered shame that is then used to justify her victimization from society.This work aims to speak to the true humanhood of those who’ve lived this experience and the complexities that come with it.
Artist Statement
Nine’s work seeks to engage in a dynamic exploration of the human experience by focusing on authentic portrayals of trauma, mental health and marginality. Their practice features a figurative, freestyle approach in channeling ruminating thoughts into experimental mixed-media art. Through the use of drawing, woodworking, and thrifting, they are able to integrate recycling into the process. The work goes beyond aesthetic appeal—as it functions to aid in community engagement, growth, and expansion through authentic portrayal of American BIPOC communities.
Artist Bio
Naijah Nine is a Black, Queer visual artist based in Boston, Massachusetts. They graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2015 with a bachelors in illustration. From 2018 to 2022, Nine was a resident artist at House of Blues, Boston, and has participated in notable residencies such as MassMoCA’s Assets for Artists and the Koganecho Area Management Center (KAMC) AiR program in Yokohama, Japan. In 2023, Nine was honored with a Fellowship from Artists for Humanity, where they created a 6ft by 4ft relief carving. Their work has been exhibited both locally and internationally at venues including Galatea Gallery, KAMC Window Gallery, and Urbanica Gallery.