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Art by Safara | Collage Artist

@artbysafara

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digital collage art + traditional African aesthetics + lots of florals 🌺🌻🌿
🛍️ Shop prints + merch at @chillipopup

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I recently went to go see the rerun of the Wangarĩ Maathai play by @tooearly4birds and had such a good time! The play was wonderful: educational, comedic, touching, inspiring… the actors did a great job 🙌🏾

The references I included in this collage:
- in the play they mentioned that the name Wangarĩ means “she of the leopard”
- Dr Wangarĩ Maathai’s famous hummingbird story
- she was typically adorned in African-print fabrics
- the central highlands of Kenya taken in Nairobi, Kenya by @artbysafara

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4 days ago

As someone born and raised in Nairobi, I’ve always loved the dynamic nature of the city. It’s been fun seeing things grow and change over the years, especially having more things to do and more places to visit 🤩
In the past few years though, I have gained opinions on whether the increased housing density matches the native population’s income and needs (walkability, green spaces, public infrastructure etc). But that’s a topic for another day 😂
Anyway, here is a collage I made juxtaposing the old Nairobi and the new, as well as some fitting quotes and vintage photos I hope you enjoy too 😊 taken in Nairobi, Kenya by @artbysafara

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10 days ago

I recently went for a photo exhibition called ‘Fragments of Memory’ at @papercafe.nbo, where I became acquainted with the work of photojournalist Mo Amin. I left feeling inspired and wanting to learn more 🤩
Here’s a collage celebrating Mo Amin and his work documenting African history, as well as a bit of his story✨ taken in Nairobi, Kenya by @artbysafara

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14 days ago

Happy World Afro Day! 👩🏾‍🦱🧑🏽‍🦱👨🏿‍🦱

Since ending my two-year microloc journey a couple of months ago, I’ve been spending a lot of time on the loose natural hair side of TikTok, learning haircare tips and exploring new styles. About a week ago, I found out about World Afro Day! I’m glad I get to join in on its tenth anniversary 🤩

I had so much fun making this collage and I hope you love it too!

Thoughts behind this piece:
I’m envisioning a world where people with coily hair can exist freely in their natural state, not necessarily just as a political statement. Where Afro-haired people living in a country as a minority can exist without being “othered” even more. Where Afro-haired people living in a country as a majority are no longer under the lingering spell of colonial-era thinking. Free to show up in the full versatility of what our hair can do: from the simple to the elaborate styles 🖤

Art inspired by vintage photographs of a West African woman (n.d.), an unknown couple (n.d.), a Somali man (n.d.), Michael Jackson (1970s), Nikki Giovanni and son Thomas (1972), and a woman from Fiji (n.d.).

Quotes from Ousmane Sembène, Senegalese author and filmmaker. by @artbysafara

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22 days ago

“It always surprises me when people assume that something an artist has created is based on a true experience or reflects his or her own lifestyle. Often nothing could be further from the truth.

An artist’s imagination is his greatest tool. It can create a mood or feeling that people want to have, as well as transport you to a different place altogether.”
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Words and art inspired by Michael Jackson by @artbysafara

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5 months ago

#TukoKadi 🇰🇪
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I wanted to make a collage commemorating this time period, whereby the current political landscape is encouraging democratic participation, starting with voter registration. (Another wave of registration opened today, btw!)
This collage not only has the Kenyan flag colours, but also the symbolism of the ‘Justice’ tarot card. The scales for preserving fairness, the sword for our thoughts being heard, and the colour red for our passion for justice.
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Art inspired by a vintage photograph of a Nubian woman (Kenya, 1930) taken in Kenya by @artbysafara

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6 months ago

There’s a new wave of the Natural Hair Movement happening on TikTok right now, and I was inspired to contribute to the conversation in my own way!

We all know representation is important, and I think it’s extra special to see your features celebrated in art. Like an appreciation outside of a hierarchial and commercial beauty ‘standard’.

While creating, I also engaged in a bit of reading (which I’m sharing with you all, swipe through the slides to see more 🤗). It’s so crucial to understand the greater context we exist in, it’s a great help during our own personal journeys✨
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Art inspired by vintage photographs of an Eritrean woman (early 1900s), a Fulani woman (Guinea, before 1925), and a Malagasy woman (1898) by @artbysafara

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6 months ago

I came across this Nina Simone quote on Pinterest recently, and it really resonated with me.

Re: You’re still pursuing your dreams while there’s a lot going on in your life and the world around you 😅

Hope this visual reminder helps anyone else who’s feeling a similar way!✨
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Words and art inspired by Nina Simone, American pianist/singer/songwriter/civil rights activist (1933-2003) by @artbysafara

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7 months ago

“Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.”
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Words by Steve Maraboli
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Art inspired by a vintage photograph of the music group The Three Degrees (London, 1970s) by @artbysafara

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7 months ago

Happy International Women’s Day!✨
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Here are a few collages with some affirmations/reminders, take what resonates and leave what doesn’t 🤗 by @artbysafara

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7 months ago

Women’s History Month feature: Senegalese Author Mariama Bâ 📚
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I recently finished reading the English translation of her book “So Long A Letter.” The themes explored in the novel were unfamiliar to me, but her writing style kept me captivated. The characters were lively and complex, showing different sides of Senegalese society in the 70s.

After I finished the book, I was compelled to know more about the author. Today, I’m sharing what I learned with you!

Hope you enjoy,
Happy Women’s History Month!✨ taken in Nairobi, Kenya by @artbysafara

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7 months ago

In February, I participated in #Februllage, an art challenge focused on collage.

I interpreted several prompts in my signature digital collage art style: maximalism, vintage African aesthetics, and nature. This past month reminded me how important curiosity and playing around with ideas are to my creative process 🤩

Which is/are your fave(s) of the month? Would love to stock the most popular ones as prints at the Chilli x Pop Up shop!✨ taken in Nairobi, Kenya by @artbysafara

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7 months ago