Nina Chanel Abney and Jeffrey Deitch On Finding the True Artist's Voice [Exclusive]

"I think it first comes out of my natural inclination to work in many different mediums. Growing up and looking at [the work of] Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol, my understanding of a masterful artist was an artist who evolved their practice through experimentation with different mediums. When I knew I wanted to be an artist, I aspired to have a career in which each body of work propels my practice forward."

"I have always appreciated graffiti artists and their ability to reach a broad audience. The idea that anyone could access art just by walking by it and the idea of being able to share my work with a larger public has become more interesting for me, showing people how you can discover art in the everyday-whether thatʼs a sneaker or a billboard. I am always looking to find new ways to do that."

Nina Chanel Abney embraces a wide-ranging artistic practice across painting, works on paper, NFTs, multiples, and public murals. Influenced by Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol, Abney values experimentation and evolves each body of work to propel her practice forward. Abney aspires to make art accessible in everyday life, from sneakers to billboards, and admires graffiti artists' ability to reach broad audiences. Proposals for public projects, including large-scale applications such as parade balloons and site-specific murals, reflect a desire to position work prominently and engage viewers directly. Public commissions, like a central Coney Island mural, exemplify this commitment to visibility.

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