Portrait Taken by Carlos Amay in 2021

Jahniah Kum
(b. 1997, Albany, NY) received her A.S. in Fine arts from Hudson Valley Community College(2020), B.A. in Studio Art from the University at Albany (2023), and is currently an MFA Painting candidate at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland. Kum Has already been included in various group shows, including the Annual Mohawk Hudson Regional Show in upstate New York. She recently celebrated a solo show at the Spare Room Gallery in Baltimore, Maryland. Kum Currently lives and works in Baltimore, Maryland.


   My artistic practice explores grief, the complexities of being a third-culture individual, and the experience of navigating life as a first-generation artist. Through my work, I aim to create a visual language that captures the nuanced realities of these intersecting themes.

As the child of Black immigrants in the United States, I stand at the crossroads of cultural, historical, and personal identities. My art emerges from this space of tension and inspiration, using painting, printmaking, and photography to evoke the layered emotions of loss, memory, and belonging.

Grief is central to my practice, shaped by the loss of my mother to breast cancer. My work reflects personal mourning while acknowledging the African diaspora’s collective grief. I create large-scale paintings that act as both memorials and celebrations—carrying the weight of history while affirming the resilience and beauty of Black life. These works offer a space for reflection and healing, addressing the emotional labor often tied to the Black experience.

Another core focus of my practice is the “first-generation” journey—being the first in my family to navigate new cultural and social landscapes, including higher education. My work highlights the struggles and triumphs of forging a path in unfamiliar territory, amplifying the unique challenges and perspectives that come with this experience.

At its core, my art embraces the fluidity of identity, viewing it as a continuous process of becoming. I aim to spark meaningful conversations about identity, migration, and belonging. My work invites viewers to reflect on the intricate beauty of Black womanhood, daughterhood, and the connections that shape who we are.
COPYRIGHT © JAHNIAH KUM. 2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.