Marcia Brown West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

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I'm an Artist & Qualified Art Teacher based in Leeds with a master's in Contemporary Fine Arts Practices. My work is inspired by African Art, Rastafarian Culture, and Roots Reggae. I've received the Edna Lumb Travel Scholarship and the Black Achievers Award. My recent public artwork "Church Windows of no Return" is displayed at Leeds Kirkgate Market and textiles at British The British Library.

My work is deeply inspired by African art, Roots Reggae music, and my Rastafarian faith, which together form the foundation for my artistic and musical expressions. My creations are largely figurative, focusing on issues central to the Black diaspora, liberation, and my ancestral connections to Africa. Drawing from the rich oral histories of my Jamaican heritage and the ancestral ties to Africa, I incorporate elements like African artifacts, self-portraits, symbols, and Black icons into my work, weaving narratives that tell stories of struggle, resilience, and identity.

My creative process is a blend of traditional and modern techniques. I start by taking photographs that serve as visual inspiration, followed by traditional sketching and note-taking to develop my ideas. I then employ digital tools for image manipulation, using software and apps to refine and experiment with concepts. Despite my engagement with digital media, I have a deep appreciation for traditional materials such as oil paints, pastels, and, more recently, textiles, which add texture and depth to my work.

Through this combination of influences and techniques, my work becomes a channel for exploring and expressing the complex intersections of culture, history, and identity within the Black diaspora. Each piece serves as a tribute to my heritage, a reflection on contemporary struggles, and a celebration of the rich cultural legacies that continue to shape the Black experience globally.