22 Black Artists Bringing Unique Art to Web3

February 23, 2024

As we enter 2024, achieving meaningful representation and equity in the web3 space remains a work in progress.

Back in 2022, we wrote that the NFT space needs to do more to uplift Black artists, and the point remains salient today. While pioneering POC creatives continue to inspire and push forward black excellence every day in the digital art community, the top of the industry unfortunately remains largely whitewashed. Last year’s top 10 highest-selling artists in the NFT space did not include a single Black artist, a sobering fact that illustrates how far we have to go in leaving web2’s entrenched hierarchies behind in this new paradigm.

In honor of Black History Month, nft now has partnered with Black NFT Art, a media and community brand empowering Black creators in web3, for the second year running to curate and showcase a list of standout artists to know. Far from exhaustive, this list is aimed at discovery and giving flowers to those who deserve more shine — we’ve given a lot of support to leading artists like Drift, Diana Sinclair, and LATASHÁ in the past and will continue to champion them in the future.

Our commitment to amplifying Black voices both this month and every month is not just a moral imperative but a crucial step towards building a more just and equitable digital future.

Stay tuned for our co-curated list of Black builders to know coming out next week, as well as a co-hosted Twitter Space with Black NFT Art on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. ET.

Anthony Azekwoh

Nigerian artist and writer Anthony Azekwoh has never been afraid to follow his own path. Kicked out of school and his parents’ home for prioritizing his art career over his chemical engineering studies, the 23-year-old creator soon found himself selling NFT collections for five figures, including the notable $25,000 sale of “The Red Man.” As a recipient of the Awele Trust Prize in 2017 and Loose Convo Grant in 2018, Azekwoh has showcased his work, which channels the African experience through imaginative storytelling, globally from Lagos and London to Denver and Tokyo.

Ayesha Chasm

Ayesha Chasm is a talented South African photographer who splits time between New York, Cape Town, and London. In her own words, her poignant portrait photography “explores identity through themes of power, introspection, and resilience.” Keep an eye on this rising artist as she continues to chart her career trajectory forward in web3.

Charm Taylor

A multi-hyphenate music artist, advocate, and spiritual director, Charm Taylor defies categorization. The St. Louis-born, New Orleans-residing artist seamlessly blends hip-hop, soul, and spoken word into a potent sonic blend.

In 2021, she broke new ground by releasing her debut album, “She is the Future,” as an NFT collection, granting holders exclusive access to live performances and creative workshops. Beyond her own projects such as “EVOLUTION” and “The Road Within,” Taylor actively champions inclusivity and education within the web3 scene and is quickly becoming an indispensable voice in the space.

Chelsea Jones

After beginning her artistic career as a painter, Chelsea Jones has embraced AI art and never looked back. The 34-year-old artist and active member of LinkedIn’s AI Creative Community has emerged as a vocal advocate of AI art within the Black community, championing generative tools like Midjourney and Stable Diffusion as artistic gamechangers. Her own gorgeous work has been receiving well-deserved attention as of late, resulting in her inclusion in Tender’s coveted curated artist list.

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Chidimma Nwafor 

Emotions drive Chidimma Nwafor’s work. The 28-year-old Nigerian painter tackles personal topics ranging from hope to depression in her vibrant artworks, prominently featuring Black women and children subjects and drawing upon impressionist and realist influences. The Anambra native has shown in a number of group exhibits across Nigeria and placed as a finalist in the Next of Kin Annual art exhibition in 2022.

Daniel Chidera

At just 22, Daniel Chidera from Nigeria stands out as a burgeoning visual artist for his unique storytelling through paint and pencil, despite family reservations about his non-traditional career path. His deep commitment to art since childhood has evolved into a profound expression of emotion and hidden stories in his works. Venturing into the web3 space in 2021, Chidera has successfully broadened the audience for his art, introducing his work to a global platform.

D_R Smart 

A Florida A&M University psychology graduate, D_R Smart is an author, commentator and community contributor who is passionate about emerging technologies and empowering Black artists. As a contributor to Black NFT Art’s ONPOINT talk show and Ohnaji Twitter Spaces, Smart has become both a familiar and important voice for the Black creative community in web3. You can dive deeper into his work by reading his book, “From the Ashes of Tuskegee.”

Ed Balloon

Ed Balloon transcends artistic boundaries, merging music, film, and animation in his artistic output, rising to prominence with his “Run Ed” generative sound and motion picture project.

Honored for his work on the NFT100, Ed Balloon recently made his first foray into generative art with “Beauty Supply Is Out of Du-Rags,” on the Prohibition platform, exploring the cultural significance of Black hairstyles through algorithmic art. This pioneering project, the first to feature braids and locs in on-chain generative art, reflects Balloon’s personal journey and the broader cultural narrative, bringing Black culture to generative art in a memorable manner.

Emonee LaRussa 

Emonee LaRussa, a two-time Emmy award-winning motion graphics artist and NFT100 honoree, has made significant contributions to the music and digital art industries, working with stars like Kanye West and Lil Nas X. As a repeat exhibitor at The Gateway, LaRussa also utilizes her considerable social media following to provide compelling tutorials and educational resources on digital art.

Highlighted in 2022 for creating NFTs for the 64th Grammy Awards, she also led her nonprofit, JumpStart Designers, to raise $50,000 for digital art tools for underserved youth, showcasing the impact of Web3 philanthropy. As the founder of Pamanama Studios, LaRussa focuses on music visuals and champions diversity by prioritizing artists of color, blending her creative talents with a strong commitment to inclusivity and technological innovation.

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Faith Love

Faith Love’s minimalist art captures the human spirit with striking simplicity and emotional depth. Her work, often featuring faceless figures against stark backgrounds, highlights her skill in capturing complex emotions through minimal detail.

Recognized as a Next Up artist and exhibited at Gateway Korea, Love’s art explores universal themes—love, loss, joy, despair—inviting viewers into a deeply personal and reflective dialogue. In addition to her own artistic career, Love helps lead community and artist relations for MetaMask, championing creators and helping onboard newcomers to the web3 art community.

Heno.

Heno, hailing from Takoma Park, Maryland, has emerged as a multifaceted force within the music and Web3 realms, blending his talents as an artist, producer, and innovator with a commitment to community activism. Recognized as a pioneering figure in web3 as an NFT100 honoree, Heno. bridges the gap between digital innovation and the traditional music scene.

His collaborations span genres and artists like Mick Jenkins and Chaz Bear, showcasing his adaptability and creative prowess. As a first-generation Ethiopian-Eritrean, Heno. channels his heritage into storytelling, addressing significant narratives while also engaging in restorative justice initiatives. Look no further than his album “I’m Tired Of Being Hypersurveilled.”

Ibraheem Leone

Ibraheem Leone, a Sierra Leonean-American multidisciplinary artist, harnesses photography, film, and poetry to safeguard oral histories through The Tapestry project, leveraging blockchain technology. His art, inspired by global experiences and a deep commitment to storytelling, has led to significant advocacy and community organizing, notably documented in his work on Egypt’s Arab Spring.

Funded by NFTs, Leone’s recent journey to Sierra Leone and beyond aims to document and preserve cultural narratives across multiple countries. His work, celebrated internationally, includes exhibitions from Miami to Paris and at Gateway Korea, reflecting his dedication to cultural preservation and the power of storytelling to foster connections.

IFEOMA

Ifeoma (AKA Sasha Igwe), originally from Ypsilanti, Michigan, and raised in Pittsburgh, discovered her passion for art early, inspired by literature and her Nigerian American heritage. Despite detouring to earn a doctoral degree in physical therapy, she eventually returned to her first love, art, blending Mangaka and Afrocentric styles influenced by luminaries like Hayao Miyazaki and Alphonse Mucha.

Ifeoma’s work, rich in curiosity, spirituality, and introspection, explores the depths of human emotion and the quest for freedom through vibrant, youthful illustrations. Currently enhancing her craft through roles in galleries and ongoing learning in both traditional and digital art forms, Ifeoma aims to unify her diverse influences into a distinctive style of expression.

Ifure Usen

Hailing from Nigeria, Ifure Usen is a prolific artist who professes a love of pencils — and his artwork certainly reflects it! From pencil drawings of motion blur to football art, Usen is quite the graphite aficionado. From his “50 Shades of Radiant Glow” series on Foundation to his 1/1 works on SuperRare, Usen appears to be drawing up a bright future for his work in web3.

Jamee Cornelia

Jamee Cornelia, who uses they/them pronouns, is an artist to watch in experimental visual arts and alternative rap. Drawing inspiration from a diverse spectrum of cited influences—from the pop sovereignty of Beyonce to the rocker edge of Queens of the Stone Age, the dynamic flow of Busta Rhymes, and the psychedelic echoes of Pink Floyd—Jamee presents a kaleidoscopic blend of sounds and visuals. Beyond their music, Jamee’s talents extend into self-production, directing, and the creation of analog collages, showcasing a hands-on approach to their visual narrative.

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Light Feet

Light Feet is a pseudonymous photographer who has been building a following through documenting adventure. Claiming that “the unfamiliar, the hidden, and the extreme are his escape,” the adrenaline junkie is known for photographing harrowing heights in cityscapes like New York. He recently released his “Sacralized Sunrise” edition in partnership with Superchief Gallery and has a number of forthcoming projects in the works.

Manny Osuigwe

Manny Osuigwe, hailing from Imo state, Nigeria, reignited his passion for art in 2020, after a brief hiatus during his college years, marking his presence with achievements like winning the Ekonke art competition and featuring in NFT NYC exhibitions.

Specializing in digital mediums employing several software tools, Osuigwe’s work explores themes of self-discovery, emotional depth, and challenges conventional views on masculinity, using muscular male figures and celestial imagery to invite discourse on vulnerability and the spiritual.

Osinachi 

Osinachi, born in 1991 in Aba, Nigeria, is a crypto art OG, creatively utilizing Microsoft Word for over 15 years to craft his pieces. As a leading figure in Africa’s crypto-art scene, his work bridges traditional and digital art worlds. Osinachi’s collaborations with prestigious galleries and participation in major events like Art Basel and Gateway Miami, coupled with his exhibitions at institutions such as The Toledo Museum of Art, highlight his global influence.

Osinachi’s art, a commentary on identity and cultural stereotypes, has earned him recognition as an NFT100 honoree and one of the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2022. Advocating for the blockchain art movement, he also founded AfrofutureDAO to support African museums with web3 technology and curated “Africa Here,” an initiative boosting African artists’ presence in the NFT marketplace. Through his work, Osinachi not only challenges conventional art narratives but also opens new avenues for African artists in the digital realm.

Phil Heal

Based in Chicago, Phil Heal, a Nigerian talent, has charted an impressive course as a self-taught, multidisciplinary artist, spanning the realms of illustrations, animations, and 3D art. Originally honing his skills as a traditional illustrator, Phil embarked on a digital evolution in 2020 and expanded his repertoire to include 3D modeling a year later.

His artistic journey took a turn in August 2021 when he began minting his creations on the blockchain, leading to exhibitions across the globe—from the bustling art scenes of New York and Los Angeles to the vibrant cultures of Senegal, South Korea, and France. Phil Heal’s work is a rich tapestry of narratives, deeply rooted in African spirituality, culture, and mythology, showcasing his versatility in medium, style, and theme, as he continues to explore new avenues of creative expression.

Semilore Stef

25-year-old Semilore Stef has emerged as a digital artist to watch, dedicated to crafting works that eternalize the essence of expression. His art, known for its vivid, arresting palettes and often flirting with abstraction, is marked by geometric forms collide in dazzling displays of color. Stef’s signature approach to digital canvases has garnered attention, leading to his participation in various exhibitions, notably including repeated showcases at NFT NYC in New York. Beyond his artistic pursuits, Stef is a versatile designer, further broadening his creative scope while pursuing a Master of Arts in Design.

Tayodamnshoes

Tayodamnshoes, or Tayo, blends her Nigerian heritage with her Texas upbringing in art that merges fashion, technology, and vivid surrealism. Using digital mediums, acrylics, and photo manipulation, she aims to illuminate African culture with an iconoclast flair, making African art relatable on a global scale.

An early adopter of NFTs since 2019, Tayo has been instrumental in creating a community for artists within the digital space. Her notable project, “111 Ebabes,” underscores her vision of art’s role in reflection and identity, with her work featured at premier events like NFT NYC and SXSW. Tayo’s influence extends beyond her art, fostering inclusivity and innovation in web3 while advocating for the integration of African artistry into wider artistic and technological dialogues.

Tyler Givens

Tyler Givens is a multidisciplinary artist whose eclectic body of work is defined by the exploration of escapism. Drawing upon influences as varied as 2000s fashion, anime and their Christian background, Givens addresses conceptual elements of sexuality, liberation and nihilism through colorful fantasy-fueled works that merge traditional art forms like ink and oil paint with digital innovation.

Now based in New York City, Givens has been featured in Diana Sinclair’s “Digital Diaspora” exhibition, and was recently recognized as a Wild.xyz season 2 resident artist. Combining a powerful narrative with distinctive visual storytelling, Givens is one to watch in 2024.

Yatreda

Yatreda, a family collective led by photographer Kiya Tadele, has experienced a tremendous rise over the past year. Hailing from Ethiopia, they bring a unique blend of tradition and innovation to their visually-stunning work. Inspired by the Amharic word “tizita,” a feeling of nostalgia for the past, they breathe life into classic Ethiopian legends and folklore through captivating motion portraits and intricate hand-sewn costumes.

Recognized as a Next Up artist, Yatreda elevated their artistry through the strikingly successful “Adam and Hewan አዳም እና ሔዋን” collection last fall. Featured prominently at Gateway Miami with a Christie’s exhibition and a daily coffee ceremony, Yatreda is carving out a truly distinct lane in the web3 art world.

The post 22 Black Artists Bringing Unique Art to Web3 appeared first on nft now.



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