Zeinab Diomande (B.1999, VA), is a Philadelphia based Ivorian-American artist. Their work explores themes of queer Black womanhood, memory and imagined worlds where different iterations of herself are set to exist and dive into conversations aimed at the larger group. They have shown in Philadelphia, London, New York, Los Angeles and more. She earned her BFA at the University of the Arts in 2023.
Education
University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing
Class of 2023
Tyler School of Art and Architecture
Master of Fine Arts in Painting
Class of 2027
Selected Solo Exhibition
“It’s What You Don’t See” - New Image Art, Los Angeles, CA, 2023
“Wildest Dreams” - Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, Philadelphia, PA, 2023
Selected Group Exhibitions
“Mad Black Phantasms” Picture Theory curated by Evyn Bileri Banawoye, New York, NY, 2024
“Until it’s faced” New Image Art curated by Jideofor Chikeruba, Los Angeles, CA, 2023
“Softly Interlude” - Blah Blah Gallery, Philadelphia, PA 2023
“Expression” - Chili Art Projects, London UK, 2023
“What It Could Be” - Stony Island Art Bank x Anthony Gallery, curated by Easy Otabor and AJ Girard, chicago IL, 2022
“Saltfish” Swim Gallery - New Image Art, Los Angeles California, 2022
“Decouvertes” - LouiSimone Guirandou Gallery, Abidjan Ivory Coast, 2021
AXA Art Prize 2021 (Finalist) - New York Academy of Art, New York City, NY, 2021
Residencies and fellowships
Yale Norfolk nominee, 2021
Mural Arts Fellowship for Black Artists, 2022
Special Projects
Painting for Tierra Whack’s video “ Stand Up”, 2021
Philadelphia International Airport exhibition, Terminal D, Philadelphia PA, 2023
“Deli Delight” for Adult Swim Mural Project, Philadelphia, PA, 2022
Talks
Visiting Artist at The Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA, 2024
Awards & Accolades
Illumimnate the Arts Grant by the Philadelphia City Council, 2024
Innovate Grant Honorable mention - 2024
Dean's list - University of The Arts, 2023
Florence Whistler Fish Award - University of The Arts, 2023
Ted Carey Award - University of The Arts, 2023
Richard and Patricia Henkel Award - University of The Arts, 2023
Publications
Philadelphia Citizen - Art For Change “The Bold Self-Portraitis”, words By Logan Cryer 2024
BOOOOOOOM - Artist Spotlight Zeinab Diomande 2024
Philadelphia Tribune - Z the Rat paints worlds of leisure and stillness inspired by Black womanhood, words by Kiersten Adams 2023
Thrillist - A New Magic Gardens Exhibit Highlights the Importance of Quiet Serenity for Black Women, words by Iman Sultan 2023
It’s Nice That - Zeinab Diomande’s ethereal and whimsical paintings show “the Black figure in leisure” words by Olivia Hingley 2023
Philadelphia Tribune - Adult Swim Mural Project will highlight Black artists, words by Kathia Woods 2022