Georgie Nakima aka Garden of Journey is a self-taught, multidisciplinary artist from Charlotte, NC. Her work is deeply rooted in Afrofuturism and intersectionality with the intention of visualizing interconnectedness across communities while evoking the “inner superhero” to emerge through the shadows of society.
Georgie designed this mural to react as polarizing concepts coexisting on one canvas – in this case, creative vs. destructive energy, fluidity vs. geometry, and density vs. negative space. The celestial bodies pictured embody a sense of balance, focus, and confidence in hopes that the viewer may gaze into the depths of the imagery and carry the same sentiment into their day. Her abstractions combine vibrant textiles across the African diaspora through shapes, colors, geometry, patterns, culture, and into the fabric of life.
Garden of Journey boasts considerable experience using murals as a form of placemaking. She collaborated with Xbox and video game publisher 2K during the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte to turn the basketball court at the McCrorey YMCA into a colorful work of art. She’s painted works at a community garden in Winston-Salem and a shopping center in Charlotte, and created a mural intended to “reclaim space” in a neglected lot on Charlotte’s West Side.
The artist has been featured in Elle magazine as one of “The Female Muralists Behind Black Lives Matter’s Most Visceral Imagery,” and in Ford’s “Born to Roll” ad campaign, which celebrates creative women of color.
About the Exhibit
“Salt Water” is Garden of Journey’s largest mural to date and, at approximately 35 x 110 feet, covering nearly 4,000 square feet, one of the largest in Providence.
When it came time to select an artist to paint a new mural on this wall, one to replace the iconic
“Adventure Time” mural by Polish artist Natalia Rak that stood here from 2015-2021, we knew we wanted it to remain a showcase for a woman artist. Gaia, who collaborated with us for his 2018 mural in Providence “Still Here,” recommended Garden of Journey as an artist capable of making a statement while also creating a beautiful piece of art. Her work is distinctive in its striking use of vivid color and intricate geometric patterns, often incorporating highly stylized portraits of women of color.
This monumental exhibit is presented by The Avenue Concept with generous support from The Isenberg Family.
Massive support contributed by local artists Joanna Vespia, Kendel Joseph, and Alice Firefly.
Additional sponsorship and community input provided by Adler’s Design Center & Hardware, 100 Washington St LLC – partners David Stem & Lori Quinn, Hilton Providence, Down City Parking LLC, and the Downtown Neighborhood Association.
