In Conversation with Nichole Washington: A Rebellious Black Girl in the Art World

Self-portrait courtesy of the artist.

Visual artist Nichole Washington showcases Black womxn in the most spectacular ways in her vibrant portraits which combine photography, paint, and design. Focusing on strength, spirituality, and a special symbology present in her work, Washington invites the viewer to engage in a more expansive, otherworldly view of Black womxn. The New York-based Washington discusses her recent solo exhibition, self-care, and remaining creative during this eerie COVID-19 era.

GG: First off, congrats on your recent debut solo show Rebellious Black Girl at Untitled Space. Can you talk about putting this show together and the narrative you wanted share about Black womxn?

NW: Thank you! My work has always been about empowerment but also about pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a Black woman. My show Rebellious Black Girl was a reflection of my personal journey in rejecting the limited ideas placed on my identity. The show included older works, and a few from my For My Girls series which was inspired by 1990s women hip-hop artists. Also recent works which are more personal and dive into a mythical world that I’ve created to explore the many layers of my personality. I wanted to express that Black women are more than our skin, our hair, etc I wanted to show an abstract world that exists beyond our figures. 

The Choice is Yours, 2018, photo, gouache, oil stick and acrylic on canvas. Courtesy of the artist.

So how do you approach a portrait? What's the process like? Inspo, research, technique, etc? 

I photograph my friends frequently but I also hit people up online or approach someone on the street when I see a part of myself in them. I always say the portrait is a collaboration. I’m capturing a piece of the subject’s spirit which I will use as inspiration for the rest of the piece. Once I’ve taken the portrait I usually print it and cut it out. It’s almost like I’m making paper dolls and then I use paint or other mediums to create a world around them. 

You were commissioned to create art + photography of actress DeWanda Wise, how does Black pop culture inspire you? 

Even though I’m very rebellious against the idea of Blackness being a monolith there is something about Black pop culture that’s a uniting source for many Black people including myself. I’m so heavily influenced by hip-hop, John Singleton’s and Spike Lee’s films, jazz, Black hair salons, I could list off so much more. What I’m doing with my work is showing the ways in which these influences have been filtered through my unique experience. It’s not always the main point of my work but those influences are always there.  

“I wanted to express that Black women are more than our skin, our hair, etc I wanted to show an abstract world that exists beyond our figures.“

The Keepers, 2018, photo, gouache, acrylic on canvas. Courtesy of the artist.

How do you balance your art career and self-care?

Routines. I try very hard to stick to a routine but life happens and sometimes I can’t. Having a routine acts as a guide. If I'm feeling stressed or my anxiety peaks, it’s usually because I’ve strayed too far from my routine. I have meditation in the morning and write my intentions, exercise, I make myself as many of my meals as possible, and I have meditation before going to sleep at night. It’s also important to remind myself that my art career doesn’t define who I am or my self-worth. It’s just one aspect of my being. 

What's next for 2020, but real talk, feel free to be honest about these uncertain times we're in and how you're coping.

So much has changed in such a short time! Living in the current situation of coronavirus makes it difficult to know what is next. I was working on illustrations for a museum exhibit in Ohio that got pushed back as well as a few other things I was working on. Physically, I’m doing fine, emotionally, is a moment-by-moment situation. What keeps me sane is creating. Somehow, when the world is in chaos, I’m able to dive into my creative world and bring many ideas to life. 

Trickster, 2018, digitally manipulated photograph with gouache hand painted details. Courtesy of the artist.