Artist based in Philadelphia, PA
Zeinab Diomande, portrait of the artist
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I was born in the South but grew up in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. My parents are both from there and wanted to give me that experience. I feel like the fact that I have a dual identity that I'm only now piecing together, is helping me understand and navigate my work in a light that I have not given myself space to do in the past. I knew for certain that I wanted to be an artist when I was 16. I had a teacher in high school really help me understand that there are other alternatives to my reality and that art was one of them so I chose that instead of a corporate job.
“In my heart of hearts” 16 x 20 2024 Courtesy of Zeinab Diomande Mixed media on canvas
"The piece I'm working on uses surreal/abstracted elements as a metaphor to the fact that while I do not have any experience with my Southern identity, I still am desiring to know more. Using elements reminiscent of my Ivorian identity as well, I am combining these bits and pieces to retell my story."
“Night of the yappers” 40 x 40 2024 Courtesy of Zeinab Diomande Acrylic and mixed media on canvas
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
Right now I'm working on a piece that explores my southern identity I have been estranged from. I have no experience in the South aside from being born there. The piece I'm working on uses surreal/abstracted elements as a metaphor to the fact that while I do not have any experience with this side of my identity, I still am desiring to know more. Using elements reminiscent of my Ivorian identity as well, I am combining these bits and pieces to retell my story.
Work by Zeinab Diomande
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
I generally research for inspiration. I love researching and informing myself. I don't find myself particularly curious but when I'm interested in a subject, I tend to go through the rabbit hole!
Describe your practice and process. Where do ideas start for you? In the studio or being in the world?
Ideas for me start in the world and by researching.
Work by Zeinab Diomande
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
My work does not generally start with a sketch. I have a vague idea of what I want to paint but I find that writing and describing what I would like to paint works better for me. Writing is an extension of my practice so this is generally how I tend to get to a finished painting.
References from creative research
“Trompe l’œil” 36 x 36 2024 Courtesy Zeinab Diomande Acrylic and mixed media on canvas
Many artists live by their routines, do you have your own rituals inside and outside of the studio? What does that look like for you?
I have this little routine of listening to the same song over and over when I paint. I have a set of songs I like to listen to when I paint and it's different with each painting/studio session but I will pick a song and listen to it until I'm done painting.
Who are your biggest influences?
I find people like Moe Brooker, Howardena Pindel and Kerry James Marshall to be great sources of inspiration. In terms of ultra contemporary artists I'd say Theresa Chromati. All of these artists have in common the fact that they are masters of color (in my opinion).
Artist in the studio
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
Some books that really inspire my practice are the Theaster Gates self titled book by Phaidon that I got while on a trip to L.A in 2022. This book changed my perception of the idea of making but also performance, institutions etc from a Black perspective. It's such an inspiring book that I highly recommend getting it. It helped a lot for my undergraduate thesis project.
"It's what you don't see" New Image Art, Los Angeles, CA, 2023 Courtesy of New Image Art Gallery
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
A friend told me recently Rejection/change of plans is simply redirection. If it's meant for you, you will get it when it's appropriate for your personal timeline.
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
I would say that Art is a waiting game. I know it's hard to hear and even hard to say for me sometimes but the real rewards happen with patience. No sustainable career happens over night. Would you want to have an explosive career early and be forgotten in ten years or would you want to have a career that took ten years to take off and remains for the rest of your life? The real secret is patience.
Portrait of the artist
Stay up to date with Zeinab Diomande
Instagram @ztheratt