BIOGRAPHY
My name is Amani Heywood and I’m a Bronx-born Trinidadian artist. I use my love of fashion, philosophy, and architecture to invoke a feeling that I then translate into an abstract mindscape.
As a child, I was diagnosed with dyslexia. This, made me see letters morph into the swirls and squiggles we see today in my work. It always felt like I wasn’t reading, but more like interpreting these symbols so I could move through the world. Now that I have an understanding of what my brain was doing, I like to show people what I saw then.
Poring, dripping, throwing, and spraying are only some of the application techniques I use to apply color to whatever object I’m painting. Matching and blending colors until I have a photo that represents my feelings is what I love.
CV
Past Exhibitions:
Solo “I Did This Shit In My Room” LAAMS 74 Orchard St. New York NY Jan 2022.
Solo “Paradise Paintings” LAAMS 74 Orchard St. New York NY July 2022.
Group “Convergence” Presented by Sun Art Brooklyn 748 Manhattan Ave. New York NY Sep 2022.
Group “Textured Words” Presented by Sun Art Brooklyn 748 Manhattan Ave. New York NY Nov 2022.
Group “Winter Palace” Presented by Equity Gallery 245 BRoom St. New York NY. Feb 2023.
Group “Afro Futures Gala” Presented by Sun Art Brooklyn 748 Manhattan Ave. New York NY April 2023.
Solo “Living Room Livin’ ” LAAMS 74 Orchard St. New York NY. May 2023.
Solo “Garden of Earthly Delights” All St. Gallery 119 Hester St. July 2023
STATEMENT
Amani Heywood, a Bronx-born Trinidadian abstract expressionist, draws inspiration from graffiti culture, the downtown New York scene, and iconic expressionists like Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, and Cy Twombly.
Diagnosed with dyslexia in childhood, Amani delves into the world of art to reinterpret letters and symbols, showcasing his unique understanding of language. Formerly a tailor and fashion designer, he seamlessly integrated diverse materials into garments, symbolizing the unification of textual differences. Now, Amani applies this multidimensional approach to his art, harmonizing colors, textures, and symbols to construct a new realm of comprehension.
His mission is to empower youth worldwide, demonstrating that boundless possibilities exist. Children serve as his driving force, igniting his creative journey and inspiring him to persist in the pursuit of dreams, aiming to instill similar aspirations in their lives. “ My ultimate goal is to show kids everywhere that anything is possible. The kids are my greatest motivation to keep going with my creative journey because if they see me constantly pursue my dreams and goals, hopefully, they will have the same ambitions in their own lives”.
