The Student Spotlight series aims to highlight the work of current MFA students, asking them to share thoughts on their practice by answering curated and peer-submitted questions.
Adama Delphine Fawundu is a second-year student in Columbia’s Visual Arts program. She was a 2016-2017 recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Photography, and her work is currently on display in the show, The Art of ‘Whose’ People at The LeRoy Nieman Gallery.
What materials are you working with at the moment?
I am currently working with photographs, West African batik, and dyed fabrics and found cultural objects (i.e. beads, jewelry, hair, carvings) that I've been collecting throughout the years.
Is there any theme or medium you’re interested in exploring in the future?
I am currently taking a ceramics class and I really love working with clay. I like the way it feels, it's satisfying to sculpt an object using just your hands.
What challenges do you face in your practice?
Sometimes it takes a while to figure out how the ideas and objects will actually tell the story that I want to share.
Who are artists or works of art that you find yourself coming back to, or that challenge or inspire you?
I am inspired by Carrie Mae Weems, Lorna Simpson, David Hammons and Lorraine O' Grady.
Who are contemporary artists that are doing interesting work?
There are so many people doing interesting work, Erica Deenan, Allison Janae Hamilton, Julia Phillips and Ebony G. Patterson are the first ones that come to mind.
What has been your favorite class at Columbia so far?
I loved Sculpture I because everything was brand new for me.
How do you think artists can continue growing as artists?
Trust your creative instincts and don't be afraid to jack things up...the beauty is in the mess that we tend to create.
