Alexandra Antoine

Peace IPR Fam! We're now at the peak of season seven -- shifting into areas of healing, service and community within our creative entrepreneurial ecosystems. IPR taps in with Floridian artist Alexandra Antoine as she discusses her journey as a visual artist in food and fine art. Audio engineering/edit by Cey Sincerray (@215imgs) Artist Bio Alexandra Antoine is an interdisciplinary visual artist and cultural apprentice based in Chicago, IL. Her work acknowledges the influences of her Haitian culture and interest in portraiture, food, farming and the physical labor that goes into traditional artistic practices of the Afrikan diaspora. She honors her ancestors always and is currently growing food in several community gardens on the West side of Chicago! She received an undergraduate degree from a fancy art school and exhibited her work in many places but collaborating with folks throughout the Afrikan diaspora is her life's work. Artist Statement -- Alexandra Antoine My works are pathways for the stories, memories and traditional practices of my ancestors and elders. I sow and harvest the knowledge that was passed down to me within the works I create that honor the use of my hands, the flow of repetitive actions, and the embodiment of joy within the preparation, care and intentionality of the images and subjects I utilize. I reflect on memories of communal experiences with my loved ones, the oral histories shared within these spaces, the native language of my people and its use in sustaining my connection to land and spirit. My work utilizes whatever material is necessary to depict my intended vision and is therefore interdisciplinary in practice. My paintings express the linear, topographical layers of beauty I see within my people. My food collages pay homage to the abundance of culinary knowledge within the kitchen spaces of black folks throughout the world and the alchemy we create in our kitchens. My printmaking work showcases the ways in which my ideas can exist in functional forms as well as standard ways of viewing art. I honor the people and land of Léogâne, Haiti.