About
Biography
Autumn Spears (b. 1998) is a Washington, DC native whose art serves as a powerful medium for reimagining Black histories and diasporic narratives. Her upbringing in communities of color, while simultaneously navigating predominantly white institutions, has profoundly shaped her identity and artistic vision. These contrasting environments have ignited her interest in exploring black representation and identity across the African diaspora.
In 2020 she received her BFA in Art Education from Albright College. In 2023, Spears held her inaugural solo exhibition, "Becoming," at the Freedman Gallery in Reading, Pennsylvania. This milestone event showcased her distinctive style and marked the beginning of a promising artistic journey. Additionally, Spears’ work has been featured in local cultural institutions such as the MLK Memorial Library, Charles Sumner School, and the Anacostia Community Museum.
Artist Statement
I am an African-American mixed media artist focusing on the representation—or lack thereof—of Black people in historical and cultural narratives. By comparing stories about us with those narrated by us, I explore the insights and inspirations these perspectives offer. My work often cross-examines history through folk tales, biblical stories, poetry, and personal experiences.
Shifting between figuration and abstraction, vibrant colors and distinctive neutrals, my work frequently incorporates braided hair as a means of cultural expression and preservation. Understanding the sacred tradition of hair braiding across diasporic communities, I use it in unconventional ways to tell stories rather than merely achieving a hairstyle.
While my work primarily centers black audiences, I believe my work invites all viewers to reflect on history, question the narrator, and consider the impact.