HelloBeautiful x MadameNoire’s 2025 Girls To Know occasion, held in New York Metropolis, introduced collectively the Black girls artists featured on this yr’s listing: LaToya Hobbs, Murjoni Merriweather, and Jewel Ham.
In a panel moderated by MadameNoire managing editor, Danica Daniel, the ladies spoke in-depth about their work as Black girls artists, what conjures up their artwork, what fuels their creativity, occupying area inside the artwork world, and extra.
The occasion was a second to have a good time these gifted Black girls creating artwork on their very own phrases and utilizing their work as a automobile to spotlight their respective communities who act as their muses, whereas additionally inspiring the subsequent era of fearless creatives.
When requested by Daniel what fuels their creativity and the way they outline themselves as an artist, Merriweather and Hobbs responded with the widespread theme of neighborhood.
“The factor that fuels my creativity is my very own self-love,” Merriweather started. “I really feel like after I began I used to be making it for us, after which finally I began eager to make extra work that represented my very own therapeutic journey. I realized much more about myself via creating new work. My neighborhood and the individuals I encompass myself with [has also been fuel] it’s been like Purple Bull to my coronary heart.”
Hobbs added her personal perspective, stating, “I’m impressed by my life typically. My very own life experiences. I actually attempt to channel and champion the tales of individuals in my neighborhood.”
“[I’m] very a lot impressed by what I prefer to name on a regular basis heroes as a result of they’ve extraordinary tales, extraordinary lives. I believe there’s a lot energy within the on a regular basis and so many individuals have phenomenal tales that perhaps simply don’t have like one million followers,” she stated.
Fellow artist Ham additionally let attendees in on she chooses which tales to inform via her artwork.
“I at all times wish to persist with the story that seems like house to me,” she stated. “That seems like one thing that I’ve skilled or individuals in my neighborhood which are near me, we’ve shared an expertise.”
“A variety of my sketches and issues, they begin with quite a lot of writing, quite a lot of simply what I need the viewer to expertise after they’re wanting on the works. It feels comfy to me and that’s the place I’m in a position to make use of my voice probably the most,” Ham added.
To shut out the insightful occasion and dialog, the women have been requested the recommendation they might give their youthful selves.
”I’d inform my youthful self to not be involved about what individuals take into consideration you as a result of that’s one thing that I used to do. I used to dim myself. Don’t attempt to dim your gentle to make different individuals really feel comfy,” Hobbs shared.
Merriweather added that she would inform her youthful self to “make the work that I wanna make, do what I wanna do…discover my tribe and individuals who love me for who I’m.”
”Preserve at it child! If you happen to don’t wanna go, you don’t gotta go,” Ham exclaimed.
We thank these unbelievable girls for sharing their artwork with us and may’t wait to see what they do subsequent.
Inside Our ‘Girls To Know: Trendy Mavericks’ Panel With LaToya Hobbs, Murjoni Merriweather, And Jewel Ham
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