Kaima Akarue

Lives and works in Houston

Artist statement

I never intended to be a historian. I simply wanted specific narratives to occupy space, but in doing so, I found myself sifting through data—stories that needed preservation before they faded away. Growing up biracial, I often questioned where I belonged, navigating the complexities of identity and constantly reevaluating my place within cultural and social frameworks. These experiences have become central to my work, where themes of identity, place, and history intersect. I paint with paper—cutting, pasting, and manipulating images to construct environments that serve as incubators for distorted realities. Through collage, I create layered compositions that blur the boundaries between the personal and collective, inviting viewers to engage with fragmented yet connected narratives. The textures and geometric forms in my work reflect the shifting, fluid nature of identity, shaped by race, gender, and class. Themes like pop culture, urbanism, and intersectionality serve as entry points for exploring how personal and shared identities evolve within physical spaces. By focusing on overlooked urban landscapes and personal interiors, my work confronts the erasure of certain stories while reimagining how we preserve and reinterpret history. Each collage invites viewers to reflect on their connection to the spaces they occupy, encouraging them to challenge what we choose to remember, what we forget, and how those decisions shape our understanding of ourselves and the world. I am...

Artwork