Delali on Using Art to Explore Identity, Expression, and the Black Diaspora
In this episode of Odejuma, Harry chats with Delali, a multimedia artist based in Minneapolis and the founder of Del Aku Studio. Her work beautifully merges Afrofuturism with modern life to explore identity, connection, and possibility.. Delali's deep reverence for ancestry and transformation is rooted in her upbringing in a mixed-race household, where Ghanaian traditions coexisted with her American roots. This unique background sparked her lifelong exploration of identity through art.Together, Harry and Delali discuss the liberating power of visual storytelling, the emotional layers of her creative process, and her evolution from jazz and performance to the striking Afrofuturistic collage that is featured in the Afro-Centric/Eclectic Art Exhibition. Delali speaks with clarity and grace about reclaiming cultural symbols, embracing multiplicity, and creating art that heals, confronts, and envisions new futures. This conversation is like a heartfelt journey through the experiences of the Black diaspora, exploring the deep spiritual connection in art and the empowering act of envisioning our complete selves.