ELIAICHI KIMARO

I am a creative storyteller who will learn whatever medium it takes to tell the story that is emerging.  Over the past 40 years, I have used writing, music, photography, film, storytelling, and now mixed media art to explore my personal and family narratives.

As a queer, mixed-race woman of color, a daughter of immigrants (Korean mother, Tanzanian father), and a survivor of abuse, I make art to tell stories ~ because every time we contribute our story, we create a more expansive, inclusive portrait of humanity.

As a mother of a teenage daughter, I feel compelled to think about where I stand in the flow of cultural inheritance and legacy. Writing makes my subconscious conscious. It is my key to unlocking these stories I’ve inherited about who I am and where I come from. Making art illuminates the complexities of the story—with all its messy, complicated, conflicting truths.

I’ve been reflecting on the role of art in my life in these quarantined times. Carving out time to get into the studio each day is no longer an ‘if I have time’ matter. It has become as integral to my well-being as my daily writing practice. It is a must. It helps me repair and restore the parts of my soul that are beyond the reach of words.