Meet Nifa Mousai | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nifa Mousai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nifa, what are you inspired by?
Ursula K. Le Guin has a passage in her book ” The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction” that says:

“If it is a human thing to do to put something you want, because it’s useful, edible, or beautiful, into a bag, or a basket, or a bit of rolled bark or leaf, or a net woven of your own hair, or what have you, and then take it home with you, home being another, larger kind of pouch or bag, a container for people, and then later on you take it out and eat it or share it or store it up for winter in a solider container or put it in the medicine bundle or the shrine or the museum, the holy place, the area that contains what is sacred, and then the next day you probably do much the same again – if to do that is human, if that’s what it takes, then I am a human being after all.”

The things I carry with me are my memories as a child and the wants & desires I had then and now, my love of faithfully watching 106 & park and the way music and the videos in that time made me feel. My experiences in my life, who I’ve met, and the conversation I carry with me in these encounters. These all fuel my curiosity and question in my own internal home and what exactly that may look like. I archive moments in my life in various forms that later take on different roles or influence in my work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The desire to create an internal space within myself – a home to preserve my thoughts, ideas, and manifestations lead into the many versions of self representation that I explore. The context of camouflage is an extension of my internal space and a centralized tool that encompasses the parts of the self that are visible or missing . I paint with various materials such as glitter and rhinestones that portrays this sense of visibility, as parts of my subjects alternate from being seen and unseen in the space. The chaotic displacement within my subject’s environment alludes to a sense of displacement and disarray of the self trying to make a means of who I am as a person. I portray blackness through vibrate colors.

The oracle figure in my work Kafigeledjo “ he who speaks the truth” is an invisible bush spirit native to the Senufo peoples in Cote d’ivoire, West Africa. Kafigeledjo is used as a divination device to uncover misdeeds, false testimony, and culpability. The communication of the kalfigeledjo’s spiritual presence upon my work acts like an angel watching over the subjects and hold them accountable for their own doings or misdeeds done onto them. Kafigelejo personally represents power and child-like truths that go unexamined and overlooked.

My artistic journey parallel’s into my life on a day to day. Throughout my background from graduating with a BFA from Adelphi University and then transitioning forward to getting my MFA at Pratt Institute the road was long, but very rewarding. I knew the level of rigor I would be facing going for my masters was going to be different for me, but I always knew it was what I wanted. The community at Pratt helped me overcome my challenges with the resources that I took advantage of on campus. All the lessons and classes that I have taken over my college years helped mold me and my artistic practice. Till this day I still struggle with being consistent and diligent however, I take step by step to lead into gradual success with each project I take on.

For the longest I have always referred to myself as a painter and draftswoman , but more and more along my journey I’ve realized that my ideas transcend to different places beyond just my background. I have been redirecting towards seeing myself as more of a multi-disciplinary artist. I want other’s to know that for me art has always been the basis of my life and continues to be the source I channel my emotions and thoughts to. It’s my vessel connection to people and understanding the world around me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well first off I think we would head to the New York City. I would take them to “The View” restaurant close to the PlayStation theater. Then after that catch a Broadway play, I heard great things about “The Michael Jackson Musical” so we would definitely see that. Then another day we would go thrift shopping at “L train vintage” on Lorimer St. Then we have to take another day to spend in Harlem either 116th Spanish Harlem or 125th street. We would definitely go to ” Amy Ruth’s” as well for food. I grew up on 117th street so my heart is definitely in Harlem.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Most definitely my mentor and professor Jennifer Maloney from my undergrad days, STSI (Sister to Sister International), Joan Mitchell foundation to which I give many thanks to Jose Ortiz, my art teacher in 6th grade that recommended Joan Mitchell, my family and their relentlessly support , and lastly my friends and art peers that continue to amaze me and share knowledge with me.

Instagram: @nifamousai

Image Credits
Installation photos with red walls taken by Joseph Krauss and Nifa Mousai for last two photos