1/30/2025 0 Comments February 2025: Asia Amour![]() Asia Armour is a Cleveland-based mixed media artist and photographer whose work delves into themes of growth, transformation, and identity. Using photography, collage, and floral symbolism, she crafts vibrant, layered compositions that celebrate resilience and connection, particularly honoring the strength and beauty of Black women. Asia's art bridges the personal and the universal, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journeys through the lens of her intricate, symbolic storytelling. Her work has been exhibited in prestigious spaces such as the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Deep Roots Experience, and Cleveland Hopkins Airport, as well as in Brooklyn, New York, and Georgia. She has collaborated on impactful public art projects, including Fresh Fest Cleveland and Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation, and designed a utility box celebrating Florence Fairfax's legacy. Asia is also the founder of Art Amour Studio, where she extends her creativity into products, workshops, and community-driven initiatives. Through her art practice, Asia aims to inspire others to embrace growth and transformation while fostering meaningful connections through storytelling. Her current series, Dreamscapes, explores the imaginative and fragmented realities of ADHD and the rich inner worlds it inspires. ASIA ARMOUR'S ARTIST STATEMENT My work explores the beauty of growth, transformation, and the passage of time, capturing the intersection between personal narratives and universal human experiences. Through mixed media, photography, and collage, I weave intricate stories that celebrate resilience and connection. Flowers are central to my art, serving as a symbolic language—roses for love and complexity, forget-me-nots for remembrance, and magnolias for beauty and endurance—infusing each piece with layers of meaning. As a Black woman, I am inspired by the strength and beauty within my community, creating works that honor these narratives while inviting viewers to reflect on their own journeys. My current series, Dreamscapes, delves into the imaginative and fragmented realities of ADHD, highlighting the interplay between reality and the vibrant, limitless world of daydreams. Through vibrant textures, layered compositions, and symbolic storytelling, I strive to evoke emotion and spark meaningful conversations. Art, for me, is a bridge—a connection between what is seen and what is felt, a reflection of both the external and internal worlds we navigate. Interview with Asia ArmourTell us a bit about your background. How did you come to embrace the life of a visual artist? Was there a pivotal moment or influence that sparked your journey into art?
I've always considered myself a creative, "artsy" person. My parents encouraged us to explore various activities, such as piano lessons and craft classes. I was quite experimental; I loved playing with my dolls and making clothes for them. I even created little homes for them using large boxes I found. I enjoyed crafting my scenes and worlds, and I believe that experiences shaped how I approach my art.Every artist draws inspiration from somewhere. Can you share a little about the influences, artists, or experiences that have shaped your creative vision? Are there particular themes or stories that resonate with you deeply and appear frequently in your work? My creative vision is deeply influenced by a blend of personal experiences and the works of iconic artists. Andy Warhol's pop art captivates me with its bold colors, simplicity, and use of symbols like repeated brand logos, transforming everyday visuals into profound statements. Similarly, Roy Lichtenstein's use of bright, primary colors and his signature Ben-Day dots evoke the nostalgia of the Archie comics I adored as a child, bridging the playful and the meaningful. Mickalene Thomas, however, holds a particularly special place in my heart. Her collage technique, vibrant patterns, and focus on Black women as subjects resonate with my own artistic goals. Like Thomas, I aim to celebrate Black women through my work, pairing their stories with floral motifs to symbolize beauty, strength, and resilience. Flowers act as a visual language in my art, narrating stories I believe are essential for us to share and reflect upon. Walk us through your creative process. How do you approach a new piece, from the moment an idea forms to the final detail? Do you follow a routine, or does each project develop differently? My creative process begins with gathering visual elements that spark my imagination. This could involve sourcing images from magazines, books, or digital platforms. Once I’ve collected a variety of elements, I focus on defining the story I want to tell through the composition. This step is crucial, as it sets the tone for the piece. A significant part of my process is working with flowers—cutting out dozens, sometimes hundreds, to create intricate backgrounds or striking foreground details. These floral motifs serve as a symbolic language, adding depth and meaning to the work. I also keep an artist’s journal where I jot down ideas, sketch concepts, and plan future pieces. This helps me stay organized while also leaving room for spontaneous creativity. Each project feels unique, but my routine of gathering, planning, and storytelling ensures a cohesive and thoughtful outcome. Artistic journeys often come with both challenges and triumphs. Can you share any memorable challenges you’ve encountered in your career, and perhaps a breakthrough moment that shifted your perspective or approach to your work? One of the biggest challenges in my artistic journey has been navigating the business side of art. As a self-taught artist, my initial focus was purely on creating, but I quickly realized that making a career out of my work required so much more—applying for projects, handling rejections, building a standout portfolio, and learning how to position myself in the industry. It’s an ongoing learning process, and I’m still evolving. A major shift in my perspective came after reading The Artist’s Way. That book helped me embrace the idea that my personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs are all valuable material for my art. It reinforced that no idea is too wild or outlandish—because it’s my work, and my voice is what makes it unique. That realization gave me the confidence to fully lean into my creative instincts and trust my artistic vision. Your work has a unique style and presence. How would you describe it to someone encountering it for the first time? Are there particular materials, colors, or techniques you find yourself returning to? My work is a fusion of mixed media collage and storytelling, centered around themes of Black womanhood, beauty, strength, and transformation. If you’re encountering it for the first time, you’ll notice a vibrant interplay of color, texture, and symbolism—florals are a recurring motif, acting as a language to convey emotions and narratives. I often return to bold, rich hues, layering elements that feel both nostalgic and contemporary. My techniques include intricate hand-cut collage work, digital compositions, and painted details that create depth and movement. Inspired by artists like Mickalene Thomas, Andy Warhol, and Roy Lichtenstein, I love the interplay of patterns, pop culture references, and expressive portraiture. Each piece is a visual dialogue, inviting the viewer to explore identity, memory, and the layered complexities of Black femininity. As an artist working in today’s rapidly changing world, how do current events, social themes, or new technologies impact your work? Have you felt compelled to address certain issues or explore new media in response? The world is constantly shifting, and as an artist, I feel those changes deeply. Current events, social themes, and even advancements in technology all weave their way into my creative process. Issues of identity, race, and femininity are central to my work, and I often use my art to reflect on the resilience and beauty of Black women, as well as the challenges we face. Conversations around mental health, self-care, and representation inspire me to create pieces that feel both personal and universal. New technologies also play a role in my work—whether it’s digital collage, experimenting with AI-assisted design, or leveraging social media to expand my reach. The digital space allows me to push my artistic boundaries and connect with a wider audience. I’ve felt particularly compelled to explore how art can serve as a bridge between tradition and innovation, blending hand-cut collage with digital elements to create something both timeless and contemporary. What's next for you as an artist? Are there upcoming projects, exhibitions, or dreams you’re particularly excited about? And how do you envision your work evolving over the next few years? I have a solo exhibition coming up in the spring, and this will be my third exhibition, which is very exciting. I'm looking forward to showcasing more of my work that reflects who I am and tells my story. This next exhibit will focus on my experiences as a person with ADHD and how I navigate life with it. I'm eager to explore more non-canvas work, such as large-scale projects and immersive installations. I want to push my creative boundaries as much as possible because I have so many ideas I want to bring to life.
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