Morgan Brown

Artist Statement

Throughout my journey as a student and working artist, my goal has been to connect with and represent intersectional experiences within the African Diaspora. My work blends traditional graphic design, editorial, branding, and advertising, with media like videography, printmaking, and other creative endeavors, to explore these themes in my community.

My work is collaborative, both in combining my skills with those of other artists or curating projects rooted in community connection, studying people’s needs, and letting them guide the direction of the project in their own terms. I draw inspiration from older influences like Ebony Magazine, the Black Panther Party, WEB Du Bois, and Georg Olden, who incorporated community into their work and set a new standard for inclusive design. My most recent project, SIXTEEN NINETEEN: An African American Archive, follows this legacy. Over four months, I interviewed my family and individuals throughout Philadelphia, gaining insights about their upbringing and experiences. Through recording and transcribing these interviews, I created a website and catalog that brings their stories and black-centered design to the forefront.

SIXTEEN NINETEEN is still an ongoing project that I am developing as I collaborate with other members of my community to bring their own brands to life through design. As I move forward as an artist, I hope to keep building this project, showcasing the work in local galleries, and learning more about my community in Philadelphia and beyond.