Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marryam Moma. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Marryam, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Creating art that confronts environmental injustice took on heightened urgency against the backdrop of COVID-19. When Popular Science Magazine commissioned me to create three paper cut collages highlighting Cancer Alley for their October 2020 winter issue, we were still grappling with a global pandemic that had laid bare the intimate connections between environmental health and human survival.
Cancer Alley’s reality was even more devastating in this context: predominantly Black communities along Louisiana’s Mississippi River corridor faced a dual crisis – chronic exposure to chemical plant pollution while navigating a respiratory pandemic that posed additional risks to compromised immune systems. The proposed Formosa Plastics plant site carried yet another layer of injury, as it would desecrate unmarked slave burial grounds – interweaving historical trauma, environmental racism, and contemporary public health catastrophe.
Inspired by the tireless work of Rise St. James activists, a grassroots faith-based organization fighting for environmental justice opposing the expansion of petrochemical factories in St. James Parish, Louisiana, who continued their advocacy even through lockdowns and health risks, I channeled their extraordinary resilience into intricate paper cut compositions. Each layer of paper became a layer of their story: the toxic burden these communities shoulder, their unwavering fight for clean air during a global respiratory crisis, and crucially, their vision of hope. The collages translated complex environmental data into visceral visual narratives while honoring the community’s determination for a better future.
This project transcended traditional artistic boundaries at a moment when art’s power to document crisis and inspire change felt more vital than ever. Published in Popular Science, these works sparked dialogue about environmental justice at a national level, demonstrating how art can serve as both historical record and catalyst for change. Through the precision of paper cut collage, I aimed to cut through collective trauma and ignite action for the communities of Cancer Alley.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As a Tanzanian-Nigerian visual artist based in Atlanta, my path to becoming an artist was anything but conventional. I started with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, which taught me to see the world through a unique lens of structure, space, and form. This foundation continues to influence how I reconstruct narratives through paper cut collage.
My artistic practice centers on creating intricate analog collages that weave together disparate elements to tell powerful stories. What sets my work apart is its ability to bridge the ordinary with the extraordinary, creating visual narratives that promote understanding and inclusivity. I’m particularly proud of how my work has evolved to span multiple platforms and spaces – from prestigious publications like Popular Science and Create! Magazine to television shows such as Blackish and Bel-Air, and into the permanent collections of forward-thinking companies like Google, Microsoft, Home Depot, and Starbucks.
One of my proudest achievements has been the development of “ICONoclasts,” my solo exhibition that debuted in 2023 at the Emma Darnell Aviation Museum. This body of work uses paper cut elements to celebrate revolutionary Black figures, demonstrating how art can both honor legacy and inspire future generations. The project’s success led to expanded opportunities, including an indoor mural at Clark Atlanta University’s student innovation lounge and a building-wide public installation.
My artistic journey has been enriched by prestigious opportunities like the Distinguished Artist Fellowship at The Hambidge Center for the Arts and residencies at The Migration Artist Residency in Atlanta and The Swimming Hole Foundation in Upstate NY. These experiences have allowed me to deepen my practice while connecting with diverse communities.
I want potential clients and followers to know that at the heart of my work is a commitment to storytelling through meticulous craftsmanship. Whether I’m creating for a major corporation, a public space, or an individual collector, each piece is crafted with intention to spark dialogue and foster connection. Most recently, my work was featured in The New Brownies Book, which received the NAACP Image Award in 2024 – a recognition that underscores my commitment to creating meaningful, impactful art that resonates across cultural boundaries.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My creative journey is anchored in a profound mission: to reveal and celebrate the inherent magic, power, and complexity of the Black body, particularly the Black female form. Through my artwork, I actively challenge and dismantle contemporary stereotypes, creating visual narratives that demand society to see Black bodies as they truly are – powerful, complex, beautiful, revered, and deeply valuable.
My artistic process is both intuitive and deliberate. Daily life serves as my constant source of inspiration – from personal interactions to architectural spaces, from art encounters to ongoing societal dialogues. These experiences become the raw materials for my storytelling through collage. What makes my approach unique is its subtractive nature. I begin with a rich collection of visual elements, then carefully strip away the nonessential, layer by layer. This meticulous process of reduction continues until I reach what I call a moment of resonance – that precise point where every remaining element serves a vital purpose in conveying my artistic vision.
This technique mirrors my larger mission: by cutting away the superficial and stereotypical, I reveal the essential truth and beauty of the Black experience. Each piece I create aims not just to represent, but to empower and elevate, contributing to a broader cultural shift in how Black bodies are perceived and valued in contemporary society.
Would you like me to expand on any aspect of this creative philosophy or process?
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is my ability to use paper cutting and collage as tools for transformation and empowerment. Through my work, particularly projects like the Cancer Alley series for Popular Science and my “ICONoclasts” exhibition, I’ve witnessed how art can translate complex social issues into powerful visual narratives that resonate across cultural boundaries.
When I see my work displayed in spaces from the Emma Darnell Aviation Museum to television shows like Blackish and Bel-Air, or in collections at Google and Microsoft, I’m reminded that art has the power to shift perspectives and challenge stereotypes. Most meaningful to me is how my meticulous process of subtractive collage allows me to strip away societal misconceptions and reveal the true essence of Black beauty, strength, and resilience.
The recognition, such as the NAACP Image Award for The New Brownies Book in 2024, of which five of my paper cut collages were featured, affirms that my mission to elevate and celebrate the Black experience, especially the Black female body, is reaching and touching people in meaningful ways. This ability to create work that both documents our present moment and inspires hope for a more inclusive future is what makes my artistic journey deeply fulfilling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marryammoma.com
- Instagram: @marryammomaart
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/marryam-moma-a65a092ba
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MARRYAMMOMA
Image Credits
Zuri Stanback photography
Fashion photography by Tarrice Love.