is a multi-disciplinary artist. She received her Bachelors of Art Degree from Georgia State University. Ashli was the recipient of the Chelko Foundation Art Award for Women of Color. She practices as both a professional painter and a muralist. Her mural work can be found in places such as Montego Bay, Jamaica, Atlanta, Georgia, Brooklyn, New York, and the Baton Rouge Airport in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ashli’s personal work has been featured in exhibits such as The Prevail Of A People and Day of Religious Pluralism, located at Atlanta City Hall, The Oman Baako Group Exhibit, the Roswell Roots Art Festival, The Atlanta Jazz Festival, and In Search of Myself curated by Kevin Cole at the ArtsXchange. Her most recent work “A Seat At My Table” has been acquired by the New Orleans African American Museum

 

In addition to her studio and public art practice, Ashli has served in key roles such as Project Manager for the New Orleans African American Museum, Program Manager for Prizm Art Fair, Exhibition Production Assistant for Ilèkùn Wa, Project Coordinator for the Arts Council of Baton Rouge, Mural Arts Coordinator for The Walls Project, and Project Manager for Future Fair.

Her work and artistic contributions have been recognized in publications including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Voyage ATL Magazine, Rolling Out Magazine, Gwinnett Citizen Newspaper, and the National Black Arts Festival (NBAF).

 

​

My work seeks to explore the narrative of God and spirituality and how it can be used in various current social injustices. I often highlight women. My work serves as a way to give women the opportunity to be; be present, be vulnerable, be soft, and be formidable because a woman’s validation of her identity should not be found in the acceptance of societal standards, but in the fact that she has already been validated in her identity because of God. I often incorporate scripture into my work to correspond with the narrative I am portraying. 

 

Since my artistic journey is rooted in a deep exploration of my identity through faith, I use my creative practice to illuminate the interconnectedness of how my identity shapes my perception and interaction with the world around me.

I draw inspiration from personal experiences; specifically my relationship with God and my interactions with not only those I encounter, but my ancestral background. Being a believer became a vessel for which I used to find myself; the only way to understand myself, my authority, my purpose was through first seeking God. It is this understanding that has contributed to the complexity of my identity and helped me appreciate the nuances of my existence. These things force me to continue to unravel the layers of meaning and significance that define who I am as an individual.