Kaliah Hekima

Artist Biography:

Kaliah Hekima is a visual artist and storyteller whose work strives to depict rich and unapologetic Blackness. Her artistic journey started when she was a little girl painting color by numbers, drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, and sketching and writing stories about her Bratz dolls and continued as she went on to study art and creative writing at the University of California, Riverside.

During her time at UC Riverside, Kaliah developed her skills in painting, writing, and drawing. With the help of her professors, she developed technical skills but was left wanting more in the area of concept. As she was often either the only one of few Black students in her classes, Kaliah struggled to get a meaningful or challenging response from her professors or classmates regarding her work. It was her frustration with this, the lack of representation at the university, and the respectability politics that led Kaliah’s work to take a more unapologetically Black (woman) route. Currently, Kaliah is pursuing her goal of being a fulltime independent artist, merging her passions together to depict Black figures that are liberated, passionate, and at peace in their fullness.

THE ARTIST PRACTICE

My work reflects my reality as a Black woman, artist, and storyteller. Systemic racism affects how I see and navigate the world and I refuse to be defined by it. After graduating college, I realized that I have to be free and fully express myself. I saw the ways Black women have historically shifted and contorted themselves to receive basic respect for spearheading many trends and successes in mainstream culture.

My work depicts defiance, the daring to exist authentically as a Black woman free and unencumbered from the entrapments of an often white, straight, and narrow gaze that has never fully encompass all that I am - a grand and precious Black woman not bound by standards I did not set for myself. My work transforms with each realization and appreciation of who God really made me to be and the power that I truly have within. I paint for myself and anyone like me who is constantly seeking liberation, breaking margins, and throat-punching patriarchy and misogynoir.

THE STUDIO PRACTICE

My studio is my safe space where I can be my fullest self. Creating is a vulnerable process for me, as I build an emotional connection to my projects. I put my feeling and essence into them as I do with anything that I love.

Before I can create, I burn cleansing herbs and incense, smoke weed, and pray that my energy is right. I give gratitude and invite positivity, patience, love, and creativity. Sometimes I do this while holding my rose quartz crystal, but most times I do this while holding my arms out like I’m hugging God. I then play music - usually Willow, SZA, Choker, Solange, or 070 Shake. I like listening to artists that can’t be attributed to one genre and express a lot of passion and boldness in their singing and subject matter. I always dance as I am painting; it is automatic and I simply cannot help myself. I move, vibe, feel, and paint.

My artist mantra is, “let it stand,” as a reminder to trust the paint to do what it is supposed to happen without too much interference. or over thinking.

Even so, I sometimes cry as I paint because of all the love and awe of the fact that I can create as I do. I put my boldness into my work and let the paint stand as testament. I trust the paint as I trust myself. We work in tandem. It’s a spiritual experience that has taught me about my own sensitivity and the kind of experiences I need in order to be happy. As I explore the properties of the paint, I explore the properties of myself.