Ayana V. Jackson

Artist, AVJ Photography

Known for approaching her subjects in a manner that is equal parts personal, technical, and intense, Ayana Vellissia Jackson's images provide viewers with compelling glimpses of a human condition that overflows borders. Ms. Jackson's present projects examine virtual maroon societies and spaces created to accommodate complex identities birthed by a rapidly expanding global community. Born in 1977, Ayana Vellissia Jackson received her Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College (USA) and studied under Khaterina Sieverding at the University of Arts, Berlin (Germany). Ms. Jackson has exhibited her work in association with Gallery MOMO (Johannesburg, RSA), Rush Arts Gallery (USA), A Gathering of the Tribes Gallery (USA), The Washington DC Cultural Development Center (USA), Galerie Peter Herrmann (Germany), Assembly International (Germany), Inter America Foundation (USA), Franklyn H. Williams Caribbean Cultural Center/African Diaspora Institute(USA) as well as academic and community based spaces in the US, Latin America and Europe. Selections from her work on Ghanaian Hip Hop and portraits from her series on Afro-Mexican communities have been published in academic and lifestyle publications including "Souls: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture, and Society" (Columbia University, USA), The Fader and Anthem Magazines (USA). In addition her work can be found in the Wedge Collection (Canada), the Museum of Afro-Mestizo Cultures (Mexico) and the World Bank permanent collection(USA). She currently divides her time between South Africa and the United States.