Natasha Marin facts for kids
Natasha Marin is an artist, poet, and activist who lives in Seattle. She has family roots in Trinidad and Canada. Her work is all about people, communities, and helping them heal.
She is most famous for her online project called Reparations (website). She is also well-known for her art project and book, "BLACK IMAGINATION." Another important book by her is "Black Powerful: Black Voices Reimagine Revolution."
In 2018, Natasha Marin was named one of 30 women who "Run This City" by Seattle Metropolitan magazine.
Contents
Black Imagination Art Project
"Black Imagination" is an art project and a book by Natasha Marin. The project started with an art show in January 2018. It was called "Black Imagination: The States of Matter" and was shown at CORE Gallery in Seattle.
After that first show, there were two more "Black Imagination" art shows: "The (g)Listening" and "Ritual Objects." All three shows were based on audio. They were designed to share and celebrate many different Black voices in and around Seattle.
Motherland Art Show
"MOTHERLAND" was another art show in Natasha Marin's "Black Imagination" series. It was shown at Vermillion Gallery in April 2022. This show looked at ideas of belonging and feeling out of place.
It included a sculpture called "Cloth Mother." This sculpture was made to represent spirits and ancestors. It used raw cotton, cowry shells, and special fabrics like kente and Ankara from Africa. Natasha Marin created "Cloth Mother" with help from visitors while she was an artist at the Burke Museum.
Black Imagination Book
The "Black Imagination" project also became a book. It is a collection of poems, thoughts, and stories chosen by Natasha Marin. The book is called "BLACK IMAGINATION: Black Voices on Black Futures."
It was first shared at Hugo House in Seattle in January 2020. McSweeney's published the book in February 2020. The book became very popular across the country. The Paris Review said that the voices in the book were "deeply powerful" when Marin brought them together.
The book was also reviewed in the Los Angeles Review. Jason Reynolds, a famous author, recommended it on PBS NewsHour. Natasha Marin was interviewed about the book on KUOW-FM and KEXP-FM. The audio version of the book was read by Tony and Grammy Award winner Daveed Diggs and Emmy Award winner Lena Waithe. Gloria Steinem, a famous writer, said she had "never experienced an art object like Black Imagination."
Black Powerful Book
"Black Powerful: Black Voices Reimagine Revolution" is Natasha Marin’s second book. McSweeney's published it in 2022. The cover art for the book was made by sculptor Vanessa German.
This book is a collection of thoughts from over one hundred Black voices. It explores the strength, happiness, and successes of Black people everywhere. City Lights Bookstore featured the book in an interview with Natasha Marin.
