Michaiyla Carmichael
American, Born 1999

Michaiyla Carmichael is best known for her deliberate use of contrasting color-blocks, bold lines, and provocative messaging to engage people in Black history and the art of protest. Literally wearing her message, she began up-cycling clothing for protest when wide-spread movements against police brutality occurred in 2016.

Born in Buffalo, NY, Michaiyla began reflecting these themes in her artwork in high school. Michaiyla moved to New York, NY for college, where she became increasingly active in political activism. As she organized for political prisoners and met with former Black Panther members, she incorporated these lessons of advocacy and resistance into various mediums including drawing, painting, and mixed media collaging.

Inspired by artists like Emory Douglas and Kerry James Marshall, she utilizes striking figures, text, and contrast to render historical references to Black American struggles and liberation. Michaiyla lives and works in Jersey City, NJ, where she is currently exploring the theme of generational trauma in The Score Series—marker-illustrated renditions of historical accounts, where the person’s form is represented by tally marks.

At a time where Black history is being banned, DEIA initiatives and “wokeness” are being weaponized, and our hard fought rights are being repealed—the role of Black art, history, and representation is as urgent as ever. The fight continues.