More Than Magic: The Art of A. Filomena

• In Event: Weight of the Crown: Anti-Essentialist Futures for Black Girls’ Identity Construction

Abstract

Alyssa Liles’ (A.Filomena) is a Philadelphia based, Black woman artist. Her work centers on
issues of identity, womanhood and history in American culture. Using mixed media, photography, collage and painting she investigates expressionism through portraiture, environments and figures. Her work seeks to make visible the human element of sensationalized subjects that often become desensitized in the American public discourse. This exhibition explores the relation between Black girlhood and positive racial stereotypes. Each piece is paired with at least one poem written by a Black girl in conversation with the art. Works will be available for sale. The exhibit contributes to the conference theme, “Dismantling Racial Injustice Across P-20 Systems,” by demonstrating the vulnerability and beauty of Black girls and inspiring new ways of thinking about Black girlhood.

Author

• Alyssa Liles, Temple University