Up For Air
Georgia • ericka jones-craven
From the 2021-2022 We, Women nationwide exhibit.
About the project
Up for Air is a testimony, inviting spiritual and non-spiritual people alike to breathe in the narrative of how queer, Black bodies move within religious spaces. In Black churches, queerness is casually present, but rarely addressed or spoken of as it’s considered a threat to both masculinity and femininity.
This specific subject of work prompts dialogue about the non-conversation that should be held for and by queer people of color in traditional places of worship. Through sound, color, and light, Ericka aims to create a visceral story that offers non-normative perspectives on the dynamics of the Black, religious, and spiritual experience.
The Sunday Morning ritual of preparing one’s presence for engagement within a religious setting holds similar importance to the ritual of being baptized, partaking in communion, or sharing testimony with a chosen religious community. The word “queer” in this sentiment is not limited to only gender or sexuality. “Queer” should also be acknowledged in its original origin—out of the ordinary, unusual.
In the deep waters of wonder, one may be born again or may be stuck right beneath the surface. These visual truths speak on the difficulties of embracing an identity that’s often overshadowed while expanding on memory, beauty, and tradition.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Access the We, Women Education Resource Guide here, where you can dive more deeply into the 19 We, Women projects and think more deeply about collaboration and community!
About the Artist
Ericka Jones-Craven is an Atlanta-based photographer and visual content creator who holds a BFA in Art Photography and a BA in Religious Studies from Syracuse University. She recently attained her MA in Arts Politics at NYU and is the Art Director for Public Art Dialogue.