About Afi
Afi was born in providence RI in a particularly dense cloud of smoke. From a young age they were involved in the local art scene in Providence RI. You could often find them running around recording studios, attending Pvd fest, and patronizing the ‘Black Rep’ (only OG’s remember). They moved to Bed Stuy, a primarily black and afro-carribean neighborhood, in 2001. They moved back to Providence to attend the Rhode Island School of Design in 2016, and they graduated in 2020.
Artist’s Statement
From my earliest memories, art has been an integral part of my life. My passion for the arts was nurtured by the boundless creativity surrounding me and my family, and the constant creative encouragement I received. From a young age, I was given the freedom to explore my every curiosity within my father’s screen printing studio at will. I would grow up, watching him paint, print, and craft music until the sun rose. I became his shop assistant, laying out drying prints for him so he could print faster. He instilled in me a profound appreciation for the wonders of artistic practice from a tender age. When I created my first screen print at just five years old, it ignited a passion for creation within me that has only grown stronger over time.
My upbringing in Bed Stuy instilled in me a deep appreciation for the people around me. The vibrant cultural landscape I grew up with was integral to my artistic practice. I became fascinated with people and stories. I would often get lost watching the people walk by on the street below, fascinated by the millions of lives passing below. Surrounded by the vibrant energy of Brooklyn, and attending primarily arts-focused schools, I thrived. I attended LaGuardia HS of the Arts which further shaped my artistic journey; providing me with the tools and inspiration to explore and learn. At the Rhode Island School of Design, I discovered my artistic voice and learned to infuse my work with meaning and purpose.
As a multidisciplinary artist, I work across various mediums, including video, animation, and sound. I love doing traditional cut out animation layered with imagery pulled from collected fabrics and scientific images taken with a microscope. In my fine arts practice I work primarily in acrylics. I use different acrylic mediums and materials to create texture and then use colored pencils to draw or paint on top with acrylics. I am also a member at Binch Press/ Queer Archive Work and use the space to also have my own printmaking practice where I am able to create high quality Risograph prints of my work. I also dabble in encaustic printing and oil painting, and fiber arts.
My creative practice is deeply rooted in storytelling, particularly oral history and folklore, as means of exploring the Black experience and interrogating the impacts of whiteness and Western culture on Black and mixed identities. In my video and animation projects, I delve into themes of Black social performance and masking, reimagining personal history under the lens of extreme duress. My two-dimensional work embodies a rich aesthetic language characterized by maximalism, blending elements of creepiness, beauty, and cuteness to create visually striking compositions that challenge conventional notions of girlhood and beauty.
My artistic journey is a continuous exploration of self-expression, fueled by a boundless imagination and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of creative expression. My goal is to create a snapshot of the world as I see it, and imbue the viewer with the wonder one feels when one stumbles across a hidden meadow in a dark forest. The creatures there are strange, and magical. And the shadows flit past your periphery, whispering secret nothings. Through my work, I seek to inspire curiosity, spark conversation, and evoke emotion, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of discovery alongside me.
Thank you for taking the time to explore my artistic practice.
Afilandra Goncalves, 2024
