Amani Lewis – More Blessed to Give

For Amani Lewis, the portraits are much more than a likeness.

- By Kristin Farr. Portrait by Alex Nuñez

For Amani Lewis, the portraits are much more than a likeness. Mapping inner landscapes of beloved subjects and layering materials that speak to a true human essence, they portray a lived experience and spiritual being, weaving together the personal and ancestral. Amani leaverages their work to help friends gain momentum, supporting them through kinship, honoring them in multi-faceted, sparkling light. Explaining the seamless connections between their art and community in Baltimore, the artist explains: “My work exists because these people exist.” These portraits are not commodities, but catalysts for change and healing.

Kristin Farr: Art school changes everyone, and your years at MICA seemed pivotal. Now, almost five years later, how do you reflect on that time?