Each month, join MoAD staff members as we visit some of our favorite artists in their studios to see what they’re currently working on. This is a rare opportunity to hear from artists directly in their studios. We follow all talks with an audience Q&A.

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Reyah is a Los Angeles-based, autodidactic (self-taught), emerging artist. As both the photographer and subject, he employs cultural references and iconography to create powerful narratives about identity, childhood trauma, religion, and the black body.

In his current body of work entitled, Becoming Reyah, he skillfully incorporates rope, intricately weaving it around his body to create visually striking compositions that evoke a sense of tension, restraint, and liberation. This exploration invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of personal and societal constraints while celebrating the potential for growth, transformation, and self-empowerment.

Reyah’s self-portraits serve as a catalyst for broader conversations about race, representation, the human condition, and societal constructs that shape our understanding of gender. His art invites viewers to engage in meaningful discussions, fostering dialogue and understanding.