Traci Mims is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida currently living and working in Jacksonville, Florida. She says “Art has always been a part of my life. I have been drawing since the age of 4.” About the meaning and content of her work, she states “My work is often expressed in the form of cultural allegory and social realism. I am motivated by art that has an underlying message that engages the viewer in a way they can relate to. Art for me is many things but mainly it is my passion and my voice when I have a statement to make. It has also been my protest when circumstances of injustice arise. I never grow weary creating only resentful that there is no more time in a day to print, draw, or paint.” Ms. Mims is formally trained in the visual arts with degrees from Florida A and M University (BA)and Tyler school of art, Temple University(MFA).
As an artist Traci Mims seeks to provoke thought, educate, and create change. As a black female her art is the perfect platform. The work She create tells the story about some of the aspects of black womanhood and how they are perceived stereotypically and treated socially. It also represents their attitudes in dealing with this and the strength over adversity that most have to demonstrate on a regular basis. She does this through allegory and symbolism.
She states “I have always had a great sensitivity toward social and cultural issues, even as a very young artist. To quote Elizabeth Catlett, “Art for me now must develop from a necessity within my people. It must answer a question, or wake somebody up, or give a shove in the right direction. Our liberation.”
