Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shahaadah Morell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Shahaadah , thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

During my last years of high school I was deeply contemplating on what was my next steps in life , What more did I want to learn ? My art teacher was encouraging my creative skills ; she advised I go to college and major in Fine Arts. To further convince me of how important and powerful my voice can be through making art ; she took me on many trip to museums to analyze other artists work. Mickalene Thomas was showing at The Brooklyn Museum in 2014 ; her exhibition I believe was called ” The Origin Of The Universe”. This exhibition was the first time I’ve ever seen black women in a museum fully naked and beautifully painted. It opened up a whole new world of possibilities. At the time I was seventeen and only believed white bodies and religious themes were the only subjects that was exhibited in world renowned museums. From then on I wanted my artistic path to awaken other young artists that were ignorant to the infinite possibilities that their consciousness can fathom .

Shahaadah , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My business is called Haadah’s A.R.T – Haadah’s ancestors reaching through because I believe the connection to your ancestors and spiritual team can be accessed through your intuition. The guidance through your intuition is uniquely structured according to your path, leading to fulfilling your destiny. My business helps the youth with character development , leadership and mindfulness skills through the catalyst of art. Being that I grew up in low income housing as a first generation Trinidadian American in NYC; I wanted to show ways marginalized communities maneuver within the guidelines of systematic oppression. In my own work practice I collapse the histories of immigrants’ livelihood experiences in America to show how they’ve created their own version of the American Dream. I sell work to remind others of their connection to their ancestors, lineages , and over all willpower in their being. Big influences of mine are movements like surrealism, Dada and artists like Faith Ringgold, Carrie Mae Weems , and Mickalene Thomas. My business Haadahs A.R.T brings awareness to the dark traumatic experience that the black community normalizes to survive in a patriarchal society while also helping the youth keep their creative spirits ignited as they maneuver within it.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I graduated Brooklyn College with my BFA in 2019 ;shortly after the pandemic hit it the nation. I was grieving my old studio and art community at school. I was grieving community in general ; I felt stuck and sad. Creating kept me going for a while but even that seemed redundant. I started to analyze , why I even create in the first place. I started to realize the ways in which I benefited from college and the ways it distorted my vision. College is a place to learn about tools and the process attached to using those tools. College doesn’t teach how to construct those tools to create and make your heart fulfilled. You can get caught up in the beat of other’s drums and lose the beat of your own. I had to unlearn professor’s projections on how I should be creating. I’m a multidisciplinary artist , which means I dip my toe in many creative waters. I don’t have to pick only one way of expressing my self. Also, college is not the only place I can further my education and sharpen my skills. I enjoy painting , illustrating, sewing, knitting, photography, and writing. I find that switching up my art/ creative practices helps with “artist block”. The way I perceive it is , if I have many ways of expressing my self the conversation always continues.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Physically coming to shows and events can really best serve the society as a whole , not only creatives and creative ecosystems. I think some “non- creatives” assume that you have to have chosen a creative career for your path in order to come out and support artists at shows. I think terms like “non-creatives” separates us from the society that creates in other ways . Everyone is creative by simply existing , you create through life. Showing up in spaces for individuals that express themselves differently can awaken different parts of your mind and creativity. It’s about witnessing how different people choose to express their truths and in return you find new ways of how to express your own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.haadahsart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CjBGyZVOs3o/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@haadahsart7203