Meet Morgan Newton
Morgan Newton’s art could (and should) be described as a love letter to Black women.
Sharing that similar experience of communicating the experience of black womanhood and healing not only helps me feel seen but heard.” said the Houston, TX native about her art.
Her art takes you on a spiritual journey of self-acceptance, self-assurance, and embracing the peaks and valleys of evolution. Morgan spent a little time with Fire & Bliss talking about the realities of being a black artist in America - read more below:
The Art of Morgan Newton: The Freedom of Being Series
Fire & Bliss: Why do you create art?
Morgan: I create to help as a form of healing. Self acceptance of a young black woman. I do it to become more vulnerable as a woman and with others.
Fire & Bliss: What are your strengths as an artist?
My strengths are being able to tell stories powerfully through my art [so that the viewer] feel[s] my experiences.
Fire & Bliss: What does being a Black artist mean to you?
Morgan: Being a black artist, to me, means having the power to create and symbolize my own experiences with intent. It means that I matter and my stories that I wish to share with the world matters too.
“My favorite thing about being a black artist is creating art that I know speaks to others that look like me. Sharing that similar experience of communicating the experience of black womanhood and healing not only helps me feel seen but heard.”
Fire & Bliss: How do you feel your Blackness has contributed to your art?
My blackness shows up in my art as soon as I touch my paintbrush. To put a piece of myself in my work means to be vulnerable with myself and others. My early works are heavily inspired by the community and nostalgia of black family gatherings. The intimate gatherings of black culture like cookouts, dominoes tournaments, and block parties represent where she comes from. The sounds of Johnnie Taylor, Betty Wright, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Luther Vandross, & more symbolized the love and nostalgia within these events. I like to think of these moments as part of the soundtrack to my life as a budding artist.
Fire & Bliss: Have you seen any major improvements for Black artists over the course of your career?
Morgan: The portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama being painted by Black artists were major strides for black artists. I also believe that the HBO Max documentary “Black Art : In the Absence of Light” did a great job of showcasing the history of black artists and what it means to be one.
Fire & Bliss: How are you working to positively impact the art world for Black artists?
Morgan: I want to impact the art world for Black artists by being vulnerable with my art to inspire them to use their own voice and feel empowered. Also, I have created my own series of virtual exhibitions during the start of the pandemic. Serving as co-founder of the Black Venus Showcase collective, I have aided in amplifying black and LGBTQIA voices of 50+ artists that often go unheard in the art world.
Fire & Bliss: What is the best way for non-black artists and art lovers to support Black artists?
Morgan: Buy Black art! Donate and make more grants for black artists!