#68: Reyna Noriega on Miami Art Basel, Gatekeeping and Respectability Politics

THE IDEALISTS.

In this week’s all-new episode of THE IDEALISTS., podcast host and entrepreneur, Melissa Kiguwa, speaks with the prolific visual artist, author, and breakout star of Miami Art Basel, Reyna Noriega. Born and raised, in Miami, Reyna paints an intentionally ebullient experience of Black and brown women. Her work has graced covers of The New Yorker, and Science Magazine, and has been featured at Brookfield Place overlooking Freedom Tower in New York City’s financial district. Through her major partnerships with Apple, Old Navy, Madewell, Apt2b, and Wayfair, thousands of collectors showcase her art in their homes around the world. Having seen the power of introspection, self-reflection, and healing, Reyna’s artistic vision teaches us about the myriad journeys women of color take as we struggle to rise and become our most empowered authentic selves.

Highlights:

- Reyna leads off the conversation by seeing a need not only for greater representation of women of color, but also a shift in the predominant narrative from one solely of trauma to one inclusive of joy, positivity, and uplifting stories.
- Next, she relates her passion for the accessibility afforded by digital art, but also the challenges of its legitimacy as a form. Additionally, in balancing her desire for commercial collaboration with her desire for respect as a fine artist, she is also continually grappling with her legitimacy as an artist while also being able to monetize her work to live. It's the life of a working artist.
- Building on this, she talks about the predatory nature of the art market—how one is only successful after death. Being a working, living artist, trying to make room for other artists to do the same, is very much part of her mission right now. With four shows at Miami Art Basel this year, and then curating her very first show featuring emerging Black and brown artists—she is finally realizing this mission in concrete terms.
- Lastly, Reyna shares her audacious vision for the world that even amidst the current climate of negativity on the internet, and the highly divisive nature of society, we might still hold space for more love, compassion, and grace for one another.

Resources:

1. Reyna Noriega Studios: https://www.reynanoriega.com/

2. In Bloom: A Poetic Documentary Of The Journey to Higher Self: https://a.co/d/eghN3l4

3. Reyna Noriega & Madewell: https://www.madewell.com/inspo-community-hometown-heroes-collective.html

4. Reyna Noriega & Goody at Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/browse/1085666_3316357_5638839

5. Reyna Noriega: behind the Project: https://youtu.be/ELcdko5be-o

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