Afrika Midnight Asha Abney is a Native Washingtonian. She primarily is considered as an abstract painter.Afrika is also a collage, flyer, and mask designer. However, she has created several figurative drawings and paintings. Afrika also has taken several photographs of landscapes, cityscapes, community events, workshops, and other subjects.
She is influenced by such artists as Jorge Somarriba, Marvin Sin, Lois M. Jones, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, and Sam Gilliam. Afrika is a member of several art organizations based in Washington, DC region. Some of her favorite artists include Michael Brown, Sam Gilliam, Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, and Lois M.Jones.
Afrika was nominated in 2001 for the Mayor's Arts Award in the category of Outstanding Emerging Artists. She also has received recognition from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the Congregational Arts Caucus.
Afrika's paintings, collages and mask designs have been praised as imaginative, expressive, and unique. Additionally, her paintings, collages and mask designs have been featured in several publications including Washington Informer (August 25, 2005), The Washington Afro-American (August 20 - August 26, 2005), DC North (April 2005), Inspire Me Café: The Shelf (November 1, 2005),A Singular Creation Newsletter (March 1, 2006), Art Crit (April 5, 2006 & January 8, 2007), and East of the River -- Southeast Stylings (June 2006).
