When reflecting on the impact of my works, I consider both the artistic and community significance. On an artistic level, my primary goal is self-realization through play and discovery to take an intimate view into how my childhood experiences continue to shape my adulthood and examine the larger discourse of inner-child healing as a potential means to be dismantle and reshape fundamental beliefs. On a community level, I aim to promote inner-child healing through communal exchanges within safe and supportive spaces.
These principles are foundational to my practice, as my childhood was defined by a fascination with artmaking and storytelling often explored alone. I lacked family or friends that shared my artistic passions and found myself growing hesitant, constrained, and disconnected over time. I often pursued creative endeavors by myself while dreaming of communal experiences to create. These reflections inspired the creation of the Community Gatherings, a collage workshop series aimed at nurturing the inner child. This 2 hour in-person workshop offers a unique opportunity for creative connection and introduces inner-child healing through the art of collaging and storytelling with childhood photos and nostalgia to craft personal collages (all materials and guidance provided). I encourage participants to reflect on their personal journeys and share childhood stories while exploring the different materials within the intimate small group setting of Mahyue Studios to understand how individual healing and the reconnection to one's playful, inquisitive self can lead to collective empowerment and societal transformation. By the end, each participant creates their own “inner child'' collage using some of the same techniques I use in my ongoing Good For The Soul collection and leaves with an enriching shared new experience, fulfilling one of my inner-child’s dream - to create with friends.
The inaugural sessions took place on June 24th and 25th, 2023, supported by the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), followed by subsequent sessions on October 7th and 14th, 2023, with the backing of The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA). Each session provided a unique opportunity to invite the local Baltimore City community into my studio space to create amongst each other and gift a copy of the Mahyue Artist Journal pre-release while offering a personal insight into my artistic process and ongoing projects.
Photographs taken by Mathilde Mujanayi
My artist and curatorial practice is firmly based on the belief that when we contribute to collective healing, we spark a communal reimagination of the world, creating a ripple effect of a more empathetic worldview and positive influence on future generations. As such, I’m passionate about community arts programming and offerings rooted in storytelling, artmaking, and inner-child healing. My goal is to create safe spaces for immersive exploration and authentic conversation, as I expand towards a more socially engaged practice.