ARTIST
DIYAH NAJAH
PRINTMAKER & MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE
"I just knew there were stories I wanted to tell"
Octavia E. Butler
INTRODUCING DIYAH NAJAH
There is a Place for Everything...but Everything is Not Always in its Place.
The Perspectives and Art of the Neurologically Divergent.
Printmaking & Mixed Media art creation is where the Atlanta, GA based artist, Diyah Najah's mind finds solace. Diyah's works express her observations of the vulnerability of humanity; she expresses her impressions through related pattern, varied texture, blocks of color, and overlapping layers. Her visual art brings our stories to life from her unique perspective of how all aspects of life are interconnected.
The practice of her creative-self is rooted the constant quest for balance, order, and composition. Printmaking challenges Diyah Najah's executive functioning skills, and acts as a therapeutic playground to exercise her neurodiversity. The foundation of her art is anchored in the unquestionable and regimented order of relief carving and printmaking. Her mixed-media works are where she allows the release of her constant cacophony of thoughts, feelings, color, impulses, and observations within her brain.
Printmaking is the structure and glue that holds Diyah Najah's narratives together, and her lively mixed-media works allow her to honor the constant flow of thoughts, movement, and ideas within her mind.
“Perhaps the mission of an artist is to interpret beauty to people—the beauty within themselves.”
Langston Hughes
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Exhibitions, Projects, Working Artist Affiliations, Volunteer Works
THE FUNCTION OF FREEDOM-
AUBURN AVENUE RESEARCH LIBRARY
October 2019-February 2020
Juried Group Exhibition curated by Charmaine Minnifield (Prolific Atlanta, GA Arts Activist, Professor and Arts Organizer) in honor of Toni Morrison.
SANKOFA-FA GROUP ART EXHIBITION
November-2019
Awarded a solo arts exhibition as a featured artist of Dekalb County, Stone Mountain, GA. Shared the award as a group show to provide a platform to feature other emerging and mid-career GA artists. Curated by Lines Gallery and hosted by Studio 5380.
ARTICULATE ATL, MASON FINE ART
July 2019
Selected artist of the annual juried group art exhibition hosted by Mason Fine Art Contemporary Art Gallery.
NBAF EMERGING ARTIST WINNER AT THE ATLANTA JAZZ FEST, ARTIST'S VILLAGE
May 2019
One of five selected winners featured by the National Black Arts Festival to exhibit and sell works to the thousands of patrons of the Atlanta Jazz Festival. This opportunity was as extension activation created to showcase Atlanta emerging artist on the same platform with well-known, national and international mid-career and legendary artistic heavy-hitters.
AND STILL WE RISE, GROUP EXHIBITION
A Celebration of Black Contemporary Printmakers
January 2019-February 2019
THE ART VALUES, GROUP EXHIBITION
January 2019-February 2019
A group exhibition at the Sinclair Gallery within The Arts Exchange (East Point), dedicated to Virtue, Activism, Love, Understanding, Expression, Solidarity.
GEORGIA FINE ARTS ACADEMY, SOLO EXHIBITION
January-2019-December 2019
Solo Exhibition of artist selected prints from the "Head and Shoulder" and "Life Carvings" collections.
Peachtree Branch Library
1315 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
#404-885-7830
GLOW VOTE-HISTORY IN THE MAKING, GROUP EXHIBITION
November, 4th, 2018
Invited to participate in Politi-Art Show. In partnership with GLOW (Grassroots Leaders Organizing Women) Vote, the New Georgia Project, and Curator, Esohe Galbreath, Politi-Art Show was a politically themed, varied medium art show featuring all female artist of color at Studio 249 in Atlanta, GA.
CASTLEBERRY HILL LOFT TOUR AND ARTIST MARKET
Open Market Arts Exhibition in Castleberry Hills in conjunction with the Loft Tour.
October, 13th, 2018
WORKING ARTIST MEMBER OF ATLANTA PRINTMAKING STUDIO
October 2018-Present
Currently, a working independent artist and renting member with The Atlanta Printmaking Studio. Being a renting member allows me to benefit from sharing space and responsibility with other professional artist and students and utilizing printing presses for larger works and extended edition prints.
SELECTED MEMBER OF THE 2019 COHORT AT TILA STUDIOS
September 2018-Present
Receives invaluable support support towards communal and independent sustainability as a professional artist. Collaborates with other cohort members in local and national arts partnerships. Participates in artist critiques, various workshops and classes geared towards shaping and enhancing professional artists.