ifyxpressions

[ifyxpressions]

Many artists of today owe their ingenuity to artists like Faith Ringgold.

[ifyxpressions]

“Mentally Ill” and Dating

Whether it is better for mentally ill people to date other mentally ill people is arguable. As someone with lived mental health challenges, it has benefitted me more to have dated guys who don’t know firsthand what it’s like to suffer from a mental health crisis and hospitalization, and take medication. I do believe that it is possible for two people diagnosed with a mental health disorder to date each other and be in a healthy long tern relationship.

I have had feelings for someone living with a mental health disorder that easily related with the difficulties I’ve faced and while my interactions with him were short, my desire to open up more intimately with a guy I like romantically did grow. And so I did very much value the time I had with him.

It is important that I get to know someone who isn’t confronted by similar obstacles I endure. Dating a guy who is more mentally balanced, patient and empathetic to my past is the most precious for me. The guy that I’m currently talking to and spending my time with is very encouraging and knows how to lift me up in the most protective way. His support and friendship is quite different from what I’m used to, and so I have been defensive and doubtful because that is what’s natural for me. I question the good in my life a lot and I am working towards changing that. Every day I do see him as someone who does care, and has my back and my best interest at heart.

“When you take care of yourself, you’re a better person for others. When you feel good about yourself, you treat others better.” – Solange Knowles

It has been advantageous for me to be conscientious and dedicated to taking care of myself because having a negative attitude and blaming others for my situation negatively impacts the mental health of others close to me. Knowing that the way I’m overcoming the symptoms my disorder comes with can be inspiring, makes me happy. It also motivates me to continue being healthier.   

I do go through moments where I do struggle but being intimate with someone who helps to restore my faith and pushes me to not give up is a great gift.

[ifyxpressions]

Last week I walked into fabric stores in my area looking for patterns in cool colors. Even though I wasn't really feeling the yellow, I do love lines and angles so I couldn't ignore this textile. #ifychiejina #IfeatuanyaChiejina #americanartist #workinprogress #drawing #contemporaryart #mymom https://www.instagram.com/p/CiN41AEOFsu/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

Reposted from @raveneditions In conversation with resident artist Ify Chiejina, continued. Q: So your work and processes are transformative in nature? You see a picture and decide to make it into something new; in that process, you learn something new. A: Yeah, that word ' transformative' hits so close for me. In all of the pieces I make, especially self-portraits, I want to create something inspired by a photo, piece of artwork, or based on an experience. I love the idea that my process is transformative, but it's not something that I started thinking about immediately. But that's the beauty of describing my work, having conversations with others about it, and hearing certain words used to describe it. Just like the word reflective. It's not something I would have come up with myself until someone said, " So you do a lot of reflection in your work." That got me thinking like " Oh, yeah, I do." I love having these conversations. Whether it be about where a particular photograph is from, the story behind it, making self-portraits, or choosing a specific image, I love that type of back-and-forth communication. I don't have a studio space; instead, I have to designate space within my bedroom or living room to create. But with this, I find more value in my work based on where it is taking me in the world and the residency or fellowship I'm doing because there's more opportunity for me to have exchanges with people about art. It also lets me see from another person's perspective and think more about how people respond and interact with my work. Then I think about whether that suits the work, my practice, and what I can do with it to create the next piece." 👀 Be on the lookout for updates on this print release! Color tests done by studio assistant Nick Roberts. . . . #raveneditions #contemporaryartist #inthestudio #printmaking #studiovisit #ravenprints #residentartist #collectprints #IfyChiejina @ify.chiejina @nicholas_roberts421 https://www.instagram.com/p/CiIg3Q4rI73/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

#tb Taking the Japanese Woodblock workshop with @nandinichirimar @efa.rbpmw was such an enjoyable experience. I did struggle with understanding the technique, but once I got it I felt much more confident in my pace. #IfyChiejina #IfeatuanyaChiejina #contemporaryartist #japanesewoodblock #printmaking https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch-aYKPuVGt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

I'm thrilled to be a participating artist for "Here We Are: Young, Black, and Indigenous Women in the Art World". Answering questions about the pieces I selected for the exhibition was really nice because it was a reminder of how much I enjoy doing what I want to do in my practice and experimenting. My older brother went to the opening reception with me and took most of these photos. The group show was curated by @shawnalaine1 💜 and the works will be on view till the end of the year. #IfyChiejina #IfeatuanyaChiejina #americanartist #nigerianamericanartist #artist #contemporaryartist #exhibition #southeastqueensartist (at Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChlZeRmsz53/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

#IfyChiejina #IfeatuanyaChiejina #nostalgia (at Somewhere Nice) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChLpjM0sbrT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

Reposted from @thenewhousecenter Gearing up for August 20: Opening Day Party celebrating three exciting new exhibitions! Next up is Here We Are: Young, Black, and Indigenous Women in the Art World. Here We Are, curated by Shawnakay Salmon, is a showcase of five New York-based woman artists who share their art as an extension of themselves. Featuring work by Jaclyn Burke, Ify Chiejina, Jodi Dareal, Debbie Roxx, and Arrianna Santiago. We'll be highlighting each of the participating artists over the next couple of weeks. Ify Chiejina is a visual artist born and raised in Queens, NY. Ify is a black Igbo female with ideas, thoughts, and truths that are rooted and reflective of different customs and traditions. As a Nigerian-American, Ify considers the tensions and complexities that come with being brought up in an African household, in a western society. Ify completed her B.A in philosophy from Queens College, and completed a certificate program for the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute in 2015. Learn more at the link in bio! #snugharbor #newhousecenter #statenisland #ifychiejina #hereweare #BIPOCartist #nigerianamericanartist #statenislandart #nycgallery #artgalleriesnyc #womenartists #exhibitionopening https://www.instagram.com/p/ChH3Ll8rLj0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

Reposted from @raveneditions Experimenting with collage elements such as burlap, mesh, mod podge, and other 'untraditional materials,' resident artist Ify Chiejina constructs tactile narratives, pulling inspiration from her parents' photo albums and exploring the essence of self captured in them. She intuitively layers narratives into her figurative pieces, expressing emotions, and personalities, distorting characters, and traversing the space between memories. . . . #raveneditions #contemporaryartist #residentartist #studiovisit #ravenprints #silkscreen #collage #artist-in-residence #artistresidency #printstudio #experimentalprintmaking @ify.chi.chiejina https://www.instagram.com/p/ChClryprAxf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

I love how this drawing of my friend @2_legit2quit__ turned out. Before starting it I kept telling myself to enjoy the process because I have been feeling all over the place creatively. Reposted from @2_legit2quit__ I feel honored, flattered, and appreciated by this piece of work!!! Thank you @ify.chi.chiejina 💯🙏🏾 #IfyChiejina #IfeatuanyaChiejina #artist #art #drawing #workinprogress #blackmenguided https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg4WcsUAH5l/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

I spent my beautiful Sunday afternoon creating some glittery watercolor monotype prints. Glittery mediums aren't something I typically reach for, but the experience of using glittery watercolors was super satisfying. The workshop was led by @punkraque, and presented by @efa.rbpmw and @printedmatter_stmarks. 📷 credit: @kibounce #IfyChiejina #IfeatuanyaChiejina #artist #art #printmaking #monotype #watercolors (at Printed Matter / St. Marks) https://www.instagram.com/p/CguHMxbr8HA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

Cutting with the hangito knife was quite satisfying @efa.rbpmw. Can't wait to give printing the block a go. #IfyChiejina #IfeatuanyaChiejina #artist #art #japanesewoodblock #printmaking https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgh5Fh2FjM0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

As part of my residency with @raveneditions, I'm currently working on the headwraps for the larger prints. I'm using the smaller prints that were produced by them from the collagraph block I made there and some fabric, which I truly lucked out on finding because of the colors. #IfyChiejina #IfeatuanyaChiejina #residentartist #americanartist #contemporaryartist #ravenprints #raveneditions https://www.instagram.com/p/CgKWV2_Fl0D/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

Reposted from @raveneditions Meet our resident artist, Ify Chiejina! Ifeatuanya ‘Ify’ Chiejina, a process-based visual artist, is Raven’s first artist-in-residence in almost three years. Born and raised in Queens, the Nigerian American artist is interested in the complexities of being brought up in an African household in western society. Her artistic practice transforms drawing, painting, collage, and pattern design into ever-developing narratives about family, heritage, transformation, self-discovery, and identity. We caught up with the artist during the first week of her residency with us. Q: What three words would you use to describe your artistic practice? Ify: Reflective, thoughtful, and layered. Sign up for our newsletter to learn more, link in bio! 📸 by @haitianrich . . . #raveneditions #contemporaryartist #artistinresidence #studiovisit #ravenprints #residentartist #collectprints https://www.instagram.com/p/CfpZPc5FJAT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

#notes https://www.instagram.com/p/CfoweGxLiUo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

Spent the past few days completing a proposal for teaching a workshop. In it I described why facilitating classes on the elements of arts is so fundamental for producing and analyzing artwork. In getting back to creating, I like seeing how using a combination of some elements helps me to achieve balance. #IfeatuanyaChiejina #IfyChiejina #painting #portraitpainting #workinprogress #wip #nigerianamericanartist #americanartist #art https://www.instagram.com/p/CfkYcqGlnfi/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ifyxpressions]

My schedule is quite busy that the idea of adding something else to it seems preposterous, but I'm super glad to have started my Japanese Woodblock workshop @efa.rbpmw yesterday. It is important for me to learn more skills, and I'm grateful for the opportunities to understand printmaking. #IfeatuanyaChiejina #IfyChiejina #artist #nigerianamerican #americanartist #art #drawing #printmaking https://www.instagram.com/p/CfbyWhUrBQc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=