DVAA Member since 2022

Jihan A. Thomas

Artist website:

About:

Jihan A. Thomas is a Black visual artist, artivist, Mother, and community/museum arts educator based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. To Jihan, art can be a conduit for empowerment and self-actualization. She shares her art and creativity wherever art is needed throughout Philadelphia through art making and cultural experiences. As an art educator, Jihan believes in the power and spectrum of Black imagination and how it can support classroom student engagement in learning and community empowerment.

As an art educator, Jihan believes in the power and spectrum of Black imagination and how it can support classroom student engagement in learning and community empowerment.

Artist Statement:

Jihan uses a variety of mediums in her artwork such as painting, drawing, illustration, textiles, printmaking, and ceramics. Elements in Jihan's work include symbolism, Black surrealism, abstraction, landscape and the Black figure. Themes found in her work are Black womanhood, motherhood, sisterhood, love, ecology, disability, joy, and pain. Through her artwork, Jihan develops a visual vernacular through her use of colors, textures and patterns.

Jihan has been the Museum Education Division Director for the Pennsylvania Art Education Association and has over 18 years’ experience creating art programing for local Philadelphia arts and cultural institutions such as the African American Museum in Philadelphia, The School District of Philadelphia, Mural Arts of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Barnes Foundation and The Grounds for Sculpture in New Jersey.

She consistently exhibits her artwork with local Philadelphia galleries such as Vox Poppoli, Davinci Art Alliance, Noname Gallery, The Ice Box, Muse Gallery, Rocnation and Camden Fireworks in New Jersey.