Marie Jatta

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Degree: BA Fine Art
University: Central saint Martin’s
Graduation Year: 2024

Artist Statement

To be an Archivist is to preserve, it is to collect, to catalog , to communicate . I see it as being a guardian of extensive intelligence , the archivist has this great responsibility to retain, add to and ultimately educate the masses. I felt myself co existing with my artwork indisputably as soon as I proclaimed myself with the title of the Archivist. My work stems from my large interest and knowledge of popular culture as well as my ability to acknowledge the platform of shared memory that comes along with it. When you hear the word ‘Artefact’ I’m sure items like; ancient stone tools, era specific jewelry, and century old art come to mind. In turn my idea of artifacts are ones that could be found in fashion, film, television, music and so on, whether it be a pair of Levi Jeans and a exploration into the social function of denim within the last decade or a explorative segment on the portrayal of black womanhood in the media originating from my prolific love for 90s sitcom ‘Girlfriends’. I’ve always seemed to very easily find a reference from all the media I’ve digested in my lifetime and relate it to experiences and values within society. My self identity and culture has very prominently been at the root of my practice, expressing my experience of black womanhood — the good, the bad and the ugly. Curating that experience for the audience of my work through nostalgia and shared memory reclaiming and venturing my black voice but as a vessel for my community is my ethos as a artist.