Curls & Coils

Visit the Crossings Gallery to see the artwork in-person from Sept. 12-Oct. 24

& Join us for the following free events at the Harvard Ed Portal (224 Western Ave., Allston):

Reception & Pop-Up ShopThursday, September 19, 2024 | 5:00 - 7:00 pmMeet the artist, network with neighbors, and enjoy the exhibition. Join us for a tasty bite, beverage and special AIRI Jewelry and Gallery pop-up shop featuring work by Maya Alia

Register and more information 

Take Your Flowers: Botanical Watercolor Workshop Thursday, September 26, 2024 | 5:30 - 7:00 pm

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Superbloom: A Crystal-Inspired Watercolor Painting Workshop (beginner-friendly)
Thursday, October 10, 2024 |5:30 - 7:00 pm

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Maya Alia is a Cambridge-native who is passionate about creating art that empowers women and helps them connect to their creativity. She leaned into entrepreneurship as an multidisciplinary artisan during the pandemic, forming the brand AIRI Jewelry & Gallery. 

The self-taught artist was awarded Best of Boston 2023 and Best of Weddings 2024 for her modern and minimal works of jewelry and art. Maya is also a painting instructor dedicated to expanding access to mindfulness-through-art in communities of all ages. She also enjoys sculpting, writing and photography.

Maya’s passion for arts and crafts was instilled within her by a lineage of strong, creative women with a range of artistic talents. With a knack for art, she has explored a range of mediums, all with the goal of producing art that highlights and accentuates human existence.

Bloom Where You’re Planted

As a woman of color and entrepreneur in the fashion industry, I prioritize visibility and representation. I strive to center inclusivity in my artistry, no matter the medium. Inspired by the rich history and story that lies in textured hair–in my hair–I created Curls & Coils to command attention to the culture surrounding textured hair. It is also meant to serve as a reminder of why representation is important for our textured curl patterns that are constantly misunderstood. My art showcases all the ways in which curls and coils are beautiful – and aligns textured hair with royalty, elegance, and perfection in ways lacking from mainstream media and the beauty industry.

Our hair is a learning process, and a journey well worth exploring to access self-love and self-acceptance. Embracing our natural textures shows we are not afraid of things that need extra nurturing – serving as a testament to the courage it takes to challenge conventional standards of beauty and exist unapologetically.

Curls & Coils is an ode. It is a message of encouragement for all women of color to bloom wherever they are planted. Each piece in this collection is a heartfelt tribute to those bravely embracing a part of themselves that has been historically discriminated against and othered.

Although the experience of coming to embrace one’s textured curls and coil is a widely shared one, I recognize this is not as monumental of a journey for everyone. For those who discover the historical importance and cultural power of their hair in a racialized society, many times it becomes a symbol of connectedness and identity to the afro diaspora.

Whether it be hair, body type, size, pigment, scars, or anything else that makes us human, if we expanded beyond one standard of beauty, we would be kinder to ourselves and others.

–Maya Alia

Creative Process

Highlighting the characteristics and humanistic traits of people has always been a joy of mine and a lot of my work has a feminist lens. At a young age, I would always carry a drawing pad, sketching the intricacies of people through the essence of poses and fine lines hidden within those around me.  When I was younger, I began practicing femme shapes and form through practicing fashion/model sketches. Now I often look to Pinterest for interesting poses and angles and go from there.

What are my tools
I created all of the illustrations in this exhibit using the software procreate. I learned how to use that program after seeing the aesthetic more frequently on my social media feed. There was something about the clean and minimal nature that procreate can lend to creating an art piece so I made it my mission in 2022 to learn the program and digital illustration. I also love procreate because it is mobile and allows convenience in terms of art tools built into the program, ease of erasing (which is big!), and making customizations without destructing the original. 

Why artworks are faceless
The experience of working towards self-love and acceptance in terms of hair is a shared journey among many. I intentionally omitted the facial features of figures featured in the series to garnish a universal connection, inviting viewers to personally relate to the messages conveyed in each piece. The figures are not people I know or have seen. The female form has always been more intriguing to master; it feels more expressive and relatable. 

Significance of floral details in artworks
Ranging from bright white Daisies to Black Eyed Susans, each of the flowers sprinkled among the series were specifically chosen to share a deeper meaning via the language of botanicals. These delicate floral details infuse each piece with unspoken significance and enhance the overall emotional impact of the entire collection. For example, the Black Eyed Susans flowers that are featured in UNAPOLOGETIC often symbolize justice. I used this flower as an accessory in a natural braided afro style portrait to highlight the history connected to naturally textured hair. 

My goal 
Driven by a purpose to spread joy through expressive and culturally inspired art, my brand is a testament to the power of creative intention and inclusivity. Committed to producing ‘feel good’ art with meaning and intention, the collection aims to inspire and empower humanity, offering accessible and inclusive studio art that resonates with diverse audiences. 

Together we are on a journey of celebration, empowerment, and creativity as we strive to make a meaningful impact through the transformative power of art.