Ayana V. Jackson facts for kids

Ayana V. Jackson (born May 14, 1977) is an American artist. She is known for her amazing photography and films. Ayana was born in Livingston, New Jersey. Her work often explores modern Africa and the history of African people around the world. Some of her most famous projects include African by Legacy, Mexican by Birth and Archival Impulse.

About Ayana V. Jackson

Ayana Vellissia Jackson was born in Livingston, New Jersey. She grew up in East Orange, New Jersey. Her family has lived there for a long time. Her grandmother, Angenetta Still Jackson, came from a family that helped start New Jersey's first Black settlement, Lawnside, New Jersey.

Ayana's grandfather, J. Garfield Jackson, was the first African American principal in Essex County. An elementary school in East Orange, Jackson Academy, is named after him. In 2001, Ayana traveled to Ghana. She visited her family's home there. During this trip, she created her first photography series. It was called "Full Circle: A Survey of Hip Hop in Ghana."

Her Education Journey

Ayana first studied sociology and photography in college. She earned her degree in Sociology from Spelman College in 1999. Later, she studied critical theory and large-format printing. This was at the Berlin University of the Arts in 2005. She also trained at other photography programs. These included the Bakery Photographic Collective and Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris in France.

Her Art Career

Ayana's photography has been shown in many places. Her series like "Full Circle: A Survey of Hip Hop in Ghana" and "African by Legacy, Mexican by Birth" have traveled widely. They have been displayed in galleries in South Africa, the U.S., Germany, and France. Her work has also been shown at the Mexican Museum and the World Bank.

She has received special grants for her art. These grants helped her take part in important art events. For example, she was part of the 2009 Bamako African Photography Biennial. Her photos have also appeared in magazines and the New York Times blog. Ayana has given talks and led workshops at universities. She has shared her knowledge in the U.S., Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.

"Full Circle: A Survey of Hip Hop in Ghana"

In this photo series, Ayana shows the lively music scene in Ghana. It helps us see how Hip Hop music has spread beyond the U.S. and into Africa. "Full Circle" lets viewers really connect with this changed culture. Ayana shows how a popular Western music style influenced "Hip Life" in Ghana. But she also adds warmth to each photo. This makes the pictures inviting and helps us think about how cultures change.

"African by Legacy, Mexican by Birth"

This amazing photo project by Ayana, with stories by Marco Villalobos, explores important ideas. It looks at how being Black and having different cultures affects people in Mexico. It also looks at African descendants across the Americas. The exhibition honors the spirit of Yanga. He was a brave leader in Mexico who fought for his people's freedom. This project reminds us that Afro-Mexicans are a key part of our African history in the Americas. Parts of this exhibition were shown in many Latin American countries.

Her Film Work

Ayana V. Jackson also makes films. She worked with writer and filmmaker Marco Villalobos on a film called Rompiendo el Silencio. This film is 12 minutes long and has Spanish and English subtitles.

Rompiendo el Silencio means "Breaking the Silence." It explores common struggles and celebrates different cultures. It also thinks about the origins of modern "maroonage" (people who escaped slavery and formed their own communities). The film uses first-person stories and images taken by Ayana and Marco. They used old-fashioned Super 8 film. The film also includes sound art and interviews from their trips in 2003 and 2005.

Exhibitions

Ayana V. Jackson's work has been shown in many art exhibitions.

Solo Exhibitions

These are shows where only her work was displayed.

Group Exhibitions

These are shows where her work was displayed alongside other artists.