Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha Imani Sanaa.
Hi Aisha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I come from a creative family full of musicians and visual artists. My early childhood years were spent in Oakland, CA which had an abundance of public art, diverse cultures and a revolutionary spirit. I was raised by my mother who was a Black studies major, educator and community advocate. She taught me to have pride for my heritage and history, which I still carry with me today. During my years in Oakland, I spent a lot of time with my Lala, who was also an artist. She would spend time drawing and coloring with me. My love for creativity and art skills grew as I got older.
When I moved to Kansas at the age of 10, I continued to pursue my love for creating by taking every art class available in my schools. After high school, I moved back to Oakland and earned my BFA in Interior Design from the California College of the Arts. There, I developed a socially conscious, critically engaged approach to art and design. Shortly after, I had my first child and decided to work as a stay-at-home mother and wife. I continued to work on freelance art commissions to maintain my passion.
In 2019, my experience with trying to balance caregiving, self-care, and purpose led me to establish a professional art practice rooted in healing and community. I started off with a small exhibit at an MLK Day event. After being chosen as the featured artist of the 19th Annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair, my career grew steadily. Since then, I have curated exhibits, facilitated art workshops, participated in group and solo exhibitions, coordinated community art projects and served on art related advisory committees. More recently, I work in collaboration with a range of institutions, businesses and organizations on various community art engagement initiatives. I have also been focusing on strengthening my studio artwork portfolio.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Developing and maintaining a professional art practice has definitely not been a smooth road. My biggest challenge has been balancing my personal and professional life. During the years, I have been working as a stay -at-home mother while also pursuing my art career, so there is very little time for rest. I have to be very intentional about how many projects I take on at a time, which is not ideal as I work to create a steady stream of income through my art practice. Fortunately, this unique circumstance requires me to think outside the box and come up with different ways to continue building my practice while also making time for myself and my children.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am most proud of my mixed media artwork. At the heart of my work is the lotus flower, a symbol of resilience and new beginnings. It appears throughout my work as a visual metaphor for Black life—blooming in strength and beauty despite challenging conditions. I graphically design fabrics made from West African andinkra symbols and archival materials such as maps, photos, flyers and text. These intricate patterns are transformed into garments worn by bold black figures. The collaged textiles inspire viewers to reflect on their own journeys toward freedom. My work honors those who came before us—Exodusters, activists, artists, and everyday visionaries. “Know where you come from to know where you’re going.” My work follows that call—offering gratitude for those who came before, and inspiration for those still on the journey.
What are your plans for the future?
My plan is to merge my art practice with my background in interior design and architecture. Through my art, I want to focus on exploring how developing sustainable communities founded on heritage, wellness, unity and liberation can address racial and social disparities. I hope to connect with other creators, innovators, entrepreneurs, social activists, wellness practitioners and community leaders that also have a passion for cultivating change in creative and ethical ways.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aishaimanisanaa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aishaimanisanaa/
