'Murjoni Merriweather. Image Provided by Artist.
In Practice
Murjoni
Merriweather
A rotating initiative highlighting artists and the work they are currently making. Explore what's happening in Murjoni's studio.
Bio
Sculptor, Murjoni Merriweather grew up in Temple Hills, Maryland. During her time there, she fell in love with art at the age of 8 learning how to draw from trial and error and art kits her parents would give her. After dabbling in photography, drawing, painting and graphic design, Murjoni tried out ceramics by the time she was in 8th grade where her heart grew whole. While feeling so connected to clay, she started making work that reflected the black experience. In 2018 Murjoni graduated from The Maryland Institute College of Art with her BFA in Ceramics and concentration in Film/video. During this time, she explored celebrating blackness through figurative forms. Murjoni has been able to expand her knowledge and experiment at places like Creative Alliance (Baltimore, 2019-2022), Fountainhead Residency (Miami, 2021) and The Alma | Lewis Residency (PA, 2022) in ways that talk about emotion through the clay itself. She has shown in institutions like Rubell Museum DC (2023), Baltimore Museum of Art (2023), St. Louis Art Museum (2023), The Walters Museum (2023), Jeffery Deitch LA (2021), The De La Cruz Collection and many more.
Murjoni currently resides in Baltimore Maryland with her cat, Kiva, where she continues to aim towards inspiring and celebrating black culture in ways that make us feel seen.
Statement
For centuries, Black people have been dehumanized, enslaved, marginalized, and denied true freedom. Even today, systemic disparities and Eurocentric ideals shape perceptions of Blackness, reinforcing false notions of inferiority. We are judged by our skin, hair, style, and culture, yet these expressions are powerful symbols of identity and resilience.
My work challenges these narratives by celebrating Black beauty and culture. Hair culture, Grill culture, Nail culture, and just our facial features are more than aesthetics; they are declarations of selfhood and confidence. Through sculpture, I amplify these expressions , ensuring they take up space unapologetically in the physical and emotional.
Each piece I create has a spirit of its own, some named after or by a Black person, affirming the significance of our identity. My art exists to uplift, instill self-love, and honor the richness of Blackness. It is a visual testament that we are seen, valued, and worthy of celebration.
