Malene Barnett is an artist, self-described activist, and authority on the cultural traditions and practices of art in the African diaspora and how it translates into her vision of the modern black experience. From her sculptural ceramic tiles and vessels to mixed media paintings to handwoven rugs, Malene continues to evolve her craft and share her African heritage with a global audience. As the founder of the Black Artists + Designers Guild, a global platform and curated collective of independent black artists, makers, and designers, Malene is always seeking new ways to define the black narrative and experience for a new generation. Equal parts artist, anthropologist, and activist, Malene joined us to discuss her creative journey.
Watch the conversation here:
Inaugurated on April 1, 2020, Design in Dialogue is a series of online interviews hosted alternately by curator and historian Glenn Adamson and designer Stephen Burks. Conversations are held on Zoom every Wednesdays for 1 hour, beginning at 11am Eastern Time, including a participatory Q&A. Please join leading voices from the field — designers, makers, critics, and curators — as they discuss their work and ideas.
