Photo of Nikki Thomas.
Nikki Thomas will create an audiovisual exploration of our collective relationships with plants, the natural world, and the people around us, through the specific lens of her own family. She will consider her family’s history and collective memories, as they relate to Black History, the Great Migration, natural remedies and healthcare, and create a work that she hopes will preserve her family heritage and mitigate the inevitable loss she will one day experience when family members leave this world. In her own words, Nikki says:
“My ancestors sustained vegetable gardens that survived through cracked pavement. They hated the sugary taste of non-homemade bread. Made grief medication from herbs they knew would soothe them. In making this project, I can draw closer to those traditions and cultivate their perseverance. The way I revere my ancestors for the persistence of their story, I want my descendants to know that we, too, were here, and that what we did for each other was important.”