Introducing Featured Artist of “Sight” Online Exhibition, Nytia Jenkins; Celebrating African American Artists
From the moment she first gripped a pencil to draw outlines on the walls of her childhood home, Nytia J. Jenkins has been driven by an innate need to translate her inner world into visual form. Now based in the creative heart of New York City, Nytia joins CEV Art Gallery for one of our latest exhibitions, "Sight," bringing with her a portfolio that balances raw originality with deep historical reverence.
Nytia’s work is a masterclass in shifting perspectives. In a world where the contributions and elegance of the Black community have often been sidelined or omitted from the archives of art history, her pieces, such as the 1930s-inspired Vintage Inspired, which serves as a corrective lens. She doesn’t just paint; she commissions the portraits that history forgot, imbuing her subjects with the prestige and sophistication they have always possessed.
Nytia captures the "pleasant reveries" of everyday life, finding inspiration in everything from high fashion to a quiet walk with a dog. Her guiding principle is simple yet profound: absolute originality. By refusing to emulate others, she invites us to do the same, to look past the surface and reflect on our own internal narratives.
We invite you to step into the world of Nytia J. Jenkins—an artist who asks us not just to see, but to truly perceive.
Hello Nytia! To begin, can you share a bit about your artistic journey and what originally shaped the way you see and interpret the world through your work?
My artistic journey began as soon as I learned how to hold a pencil. Initially I began drawing simple outlines on houses. As I started using other materials (crayons, markers) I began drawing outdoor scenes, most of the time this was on envelopes in the kitchen. My mediums and subject content obviously progressed as I matured. Inspiration comes mostly from my own random thoughts and sometimes while looking at scenes of nature or fashion. I make it a point to create from my own originality and not emulating other artist's works.
Thank you for sharing. The theme of this exhibition is “Sight.” How does your submitted piece engage with ideas of vision, perception, or cultural narrative, and what do you hope viewers come to understand or reconsider through it?
My submitted piece(s) engages with the ideas by highlighting the sophistication and prestige of the black community throughout history that is often hidden and/or discredited. Vintage Inspired focuses on the 1930s fashions for women, but it also highlights the elegance of black women of the era who may not have been afforded opportunities to have commissioned portraits like their non-black counterparts. Afternoon Reveries I feel does not carry the same depth, but is just a pleasant piece to look at of everyday life of a girl and her dog which both happen to be brown.
As you reflect on your creative path and participation in this exhibition, what perspective or insight do you want audiences to carry with them long after viewing your work?
My goal is to inspire audiences to think and truly reflect on the work presented before them, as well as delve into their own inner perspectives.
Ultimately, Nytia J. Jenkins invites us to look beyond the surface and recognize the hidden narratives of elegance and prestige within the Black community. By blending historical reverence with her own distinct originality, she challenges viewers to reflect on their own perceptions of the world. Her work stands as a powerful reminder that through the lens of art, we can reclaim the stories and sophistication that history has too often overlooked.
Nytia’s Statement: “My artistic approach is to take something that is plain and make it beautiful. Art has been a joy of mine since I was a child. I am self-taught, meaning I do not have any professional training. Many of my pieces are inspired spontaneously. This spontaneity comes from ideas or mental images that may occur at random. I take those ideas or images and try to capture the essence in my artwork. I take my work seriously and put my greatest efforts into everything I create. I strive to create art that is pleasing to the eye and uplifting to the mood.”
Connect with Nytia Jenkins at:
