Ni'Ja Whitson (MFA 2007) Receives MAP Fund Grant 2018
Ni’Ja Whitson (MFA 2007) is the recipient of the MAP Fund Grant 2018 for their piece Oba Queen Baba King Baba. Whitson was awarded the grant and recognized for “exploring identity and the role of gender in the divine” and “the masculine control within these roles and their influence over the histories of spirituality and religion” in their work. A postmodern reimagining of African rituals, African dance, and use of resistance forms defines their oeuvre. Oba Queen Baba King Baba is an interdisciplinary performance piece that extends this engagement encompassing many forms such as improvisation, jazz, poetry, and textile art.
In celebration of alum Georgia O’Keeffe: My New Yorks opening current SAIC students were invited to submit artworks inspired by O’keeffe and the city of Chicago.
An image from the exhibition opening of “My Chicagos: SAIC Students Honor Georgia O’Keeffe.”