In Devotion to Roots, renewal,
and the art of becoming.
Hello, I’m Bahiya.
artist, a keeper of memories, and a storyteller of the everyday sacred.
My hands work with clay and pigment, each piece crafted as an offering, a remembrance, a vessel of resilience, belonging, and quiet strength. Art, for me, is a way to create a space where heritage and healing intertwine.
The Thread of Creation
Where Art Became a Language and a Legacy
I come from a line of women who understood the power of creation—of making something out of nothing, of infusing ordinary moments with love and resilience. My mother and grandmothers taught me that every object holds meaning, that a spoon, a skillet, a comb could be as sacred as any altar. They passed down their wisdom not in words but in actions, in the way they prepared meals, cared for themselves and each other, and held their heads high. In my art, I try to honor their legacy, turning everyday tools into artifacts that speak of our shared strength.
Art has always been my quiet companion, a way to hold space for myself and for them. As a child, I sketched, painted, and molded clay, feeling my way into an unspoken language. Though I was encouraged to find a “practical” path, I carried this creative spirit with me through 20 years of military service. In moments of solitude during my deployment in Africa, I found my voice again. It was there, through watercolor, that I began to explore my own story, weaving memories of my family and experiences with alopecia into a new kind of visual language.
An Offering in Clay and Color
When I approach my art, I do so with reverence, as if each piece holds within it a story waiting to be told. My sculptures and paintings are modern artifacts—bridges between past and future, inviting you to see yourself in the shapes, colors, and textures. Whether it’s the deep blue of my family’s kitchen colander or the bold form of an Afro pick, each piece embodies the resilience of those who came before me and the strength of those who continue to carry our stories forward.
My work is personal yet universal; it’s a journey of healing, identity, and belonging. Each piece speaks not just of me but of us—our roots, our rhythms, our quiet, unbreakable strength.
Where Imagination Meets Memory
Inspiration Drawn from Heritage, Earth, and the Stars
My art pulls from the visible and the invisible, from memories and dreams alike. I am inspired by the everyday. But I am equally moved by the vastness of the unknown, by the ancient and the futuristic.
Afrofuturism, archaeology, and science fiction all inform my work, allowing me to imagine worlds where our ancestral past and imagined futures coexist.
I seek to blend these worlds in my art, to explore how culture and identity can be celebrated and reimagined. In my ceramics, hand-building techniques and intricate carvings create pieces that feel as though they’ve lived many lives. The materials I use—clay, pigment, natural stones—each hold their own story, connecting us to the earth, to time, and to each other. Together, they become modern relics, as if unearthed from a place where history and hope intermingle.
The Rhythm of Creation
A Practice Rooted in Ritual and Intuition
Art-making for me is a ritual, one that requires both precision and surrender. I work in cycles, much like the seasons—times of intense creation followed by quiet reflection. When inspiration flows, it feels like spring, and my hands move almost of their own accord. But there are also winter months when I step back, allowing myself to rest and gather strength. These cycles are a reminder that creation, like life, requires balance.
In my studio, natural light spills across my workspace, shifting with the day. Music fills the air, soft and grounding, like a heartbeat guiding my movements. My hands are often covered in clay or paint, the materials as familiar to me as the lines on my palms. I experiment with textures—salt, soda ash, citric acid—adding layers and complexity to each piece. Every brushstroke, every pinch of clay, is a moment of connection, a quiet devotion to the process itself.
An Invitation to Explore
Art has taught me that healing is a journey, one that begins within and radiates outward. My work is here as an offering, a place where you might see yourself, connect with your roots, or simply pause to reflect.