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Friday, March 29, 2024

Q&A with Mariah Ivey

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Mariah Ivey grew up surrounded by Indy’s music and art scene. At the age of 10, she began to cultivate her own unique voice. Her desire to give others a platform to share their art inspired her to create That Peace Open Mic.

The Recorder recently met up with Ivey to talk about her role in the local art scene. 

 

Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper: What inspires your work?

Ivey: I started writing when I was about 10 years old, and my writing was sparked by my environment. When kids write, it’s from an emotional standpoint. From that moment on, I grew up in Indy’s art scene performing, writing and being in the public eye. What currently inspires my work is the fight for Black liberation. With my art, I try to explore and advocate for Black culture. I explore intersectionality, structural racism and what it means to resist oppression. I also explore inner peace and spirituality. These are all things I explore as a Black woman in America. 

 

What is the role of art when it comes to shedding light on social issues?

Art is created to educate, to unify the community and to make it OK. When I say make it OK, that’s because once upon a time certain things were not OK to talk about. Art makes it OK to talk about racism, oppression and gender roles.

 

Can you tell me about your work with Kuumba Collective?

It’s an organization that started off as the Liberating Her Project, but that name changed to Kuumba Collective. It focused on women and what it means to be a woman, be it a young woman, a Black woman, or a queer woman. We talked about liberation and embracing who you are, your body, your hair, your thoughts. The organization is in a rebranding process, so we are not necessarily going by that name, but the work is still being done, and those spaces will still be created. 

 

What advice do you have for young artists who are unsure about sharing their work?

I would tell any artist to speak their truth honestly, boldly and unapologetically, because you never know how your story will liberate or help someone else in the audience. I would also say that in a place like That Peace, we are all family, and it’s just a time to come together and let us love on you. It’s an exchange and not a spectator sport.

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