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Art Gallery

The Gem Series

This series is about unity in diversity where we celebrate our differences and embrace our shared destinies. I use gems as a metaphor for people in this series. My intention is to highlight the fact that different is beautiful; not superior nor inferior. I like to create work about beauty because I believe beauty can be defined in different ways not the typically narrow ways society usually defines it. Beauty is as much of an inner work just as joy is. Learn more about the series here …

Amethyst
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″
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Emerald
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″
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Textile Art, Portrait, Stitched| Gem Series | Clara Nartey | Free motion Machine Embroidery | Thread Work
Rhoda
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″
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Sapphire
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″
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Citrine
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″
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The Joy of Living

This series of works is my response to living in a pandemic for 2 years. Surrounded by so much death, I started to reflect on human life. During this time, I also thought about my own mortality. What happened was, death made me consider life. I pondered, I wondered, and I contemplated. Life seemed short. I concluded that death is defined by life. To die is to have lived. As a result, I decided to capture the fleeting moments of joy in everyday life. Read the full story here ….

All Lit Up
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″ x 30″
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Breaking Bread | Art Quilt | Textile art | Clara Nartey
Breaking Bread
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
36″ x 36″
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It’s A Balancing Act
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
69″ x 53″
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Clara Nartey, "Joy", 2022 (detail), Inks and threads on cotton, 40"x30"
Joy
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″
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Bubbly
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″
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Radiance by Clara Nartey
Radiance
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″
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Black Crowns Series

As a result of my personal journey to embracing my natural hair texture and learning to cultivate a positive self-image, I started creating portraits which depict Black women in various hairstyles not typically shown in the main media. My intention is to counter the negative stereotypes about Black hair which are prevalent in our society. The most pivotal moment in my art career occurred when I presented my work in a high school. The essays students wrote in response to my exhibit, revolved around issues of personal belonging, identity, and relationships. I was moved when I read some of the essays and came to grips with the deep emotions my work had evoked in the students. It forever changed how I view my work. My hope is that, as they see their hair represented in beautiful and positive ways, these works will help build the confidence of young Black girls and women.

Mama’s Hopes and Dreams – Inks/Cotton/Polyester
63″ x 47″
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Chance Meeting| Black Hairstyle| Fiber Art| Textile Art
Chance Meeting
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″
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Coils and Shells
Inks/Cottons/Polyester
40″ x 30″
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Catching God's Eye
Catching God’s Eye Inks/Cottons/Polyester
40″x30″
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Essential Worker
Inks/Cottons/Polyester
40″ x 30 “
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Hats Don’t Fit
Inks/Cottons/Polyester
40″ x 30 “
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Gele- Textile art | Thread Painting
Gele – The Skyscraper Inks/Cottons/Polyester
40″ x 30″
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Fiber art
Queen Sissieretta
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″
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I am a Child
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
67″ x 50″
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Readers are Leaders Inks/Cotton/Polyester
65″x54″

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Charleena Lyles | Fiber Art | Thread Painting | Textile Art | Art Quilt | #CharleenaLyles
Charleena
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″
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Papa
Inks/Cotton/Polyester
40″x30″