ARTIST STATEMENT

I am a multidisciplinary fine artist based in Philadelphia, working across painting, printmaking, and fiber art. My work explores the intersection of black hair and mental health, seeking to start conversations within urban communities about identity, wellness, and self-care. Psychology, inspires much of my creative process, particularly the symmetry and endless interpretations of Rorschach inkblot tests. I also draw from my love of puzzles, influencing how I construct my work. When carving linoleum stamps, I cut them in the shapes of Tetris blocks, allowing me to piece together my geometric designs intuitively. The patterning within my work is based on the black hairstyles I grew up seeing and continue to see within my communities. This layering process makes each piece unique and mirrors the satisfaction I get from solving a puzzle. My work often incorporates fiber arts, adding texture and depth, while exploring hair as a cultural and psychological symbol. I am expanding my use of fibers, and experimenting with sculptural elements in my pieces. Ultimately, my art aims to foster dialogue about mental health, particularly within black communities. I create work that reflects my personal experiences and collective healing through pattern, texture, and form.

Alana Walters grew up in Lindenwold, New Jersey. During the beginning of fifth grade, her family relocated to Philadelphia, PA where she currently lives and works. During her sophomore year at Delaware College of Art & Design, she started to research her love of psychology and created a Rorschach series with shaped cardboard cutouts and watercolor paint. This accompanied several pieces in another watercolor series of hers which explored mental illnesses through brain scans. After graduating with her A.F.A. She took a small break from school and returned a couple of years later to receive her B.F.A. in 2022 at the University of Arts in Philadelphia. In that last year and a half of schooling, she found the style she currently works in. Defining her practice by creating layered Rorschach pieces and incorporating different printmaking and fiber techniques. The linocuts she carves are inspired by the many black hair textures and styles she grew up seeing. She hopes to start a conversation around mental health and healing within the black community. Alana has had work shown in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, and Washington State thus far. Currently, she is in a 2-year fellowship with the Center for Emerging Artists in Philadelphia. She hopes to continue her schooling for a Master’s in Art Therapy.

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