Photo courtesy of Charles Benoit
AZYA LASHELLE
Azya Lashelle was born and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan. A diverse city, that allowed her to experience people from a variety of backgrounds. In 2019, she received her B.F.A. in oil painting, with a minor in museum studies from Michigan State University. Building upon this foundation, she completed her M.F.A in May 2023, in photography from Georgia State University. Her work is centered around personal experiences as a Black Queer Woman, and the joys as well as challenges that come with it. Through an interdisciplinary approach, Lashelle navigates the transgenerational trauma stemming from slavery on the contemporary Black psyche as well as the impacts racism has had on her and those who share a similar background. Recognizing that some of the traumas and mental illnesses that she experiences are not just the sole make-up of chemical imbalances, but the experiences that have also been inherited from her ancestors. By acknowledging this connection, Lashelle’s artwork becomes a vehicle to address the history, identity, and resilience within the Black community.