Nia Lee

Artist Statement

I am a food theorist, artist, and chef sitting at the intersection of queer feminist theory, community building, performance art, and culinary art. My work centers around Black Food Futurism, a term which I coined to understand how Black American historical traditions, our food rituals, and art practices can guide us to new ways of imagining and building our collective future. Utilizing quotidian materials and techniques, my work challenges prevailing narratives surrounding power, progress, and resistance. Instead, I place domesticity, ritual, and femme labor at the center of my creative process and envision a more expansive future for all.

 "Red Drink And Respite: A Wine and Spirit Tasting," was a Juneteenth celebration and participatory performance work centered around the theme of "red drink" in all of its forms. June 2023 Photo Credit: Madison Rose Media

Bio

Nia Lee is a Black, queer, artist and organizer working in food. Nia blends her traditional Black American food lineage with imaginative healing practices to create experimental and fresh new experiences with food. She coined the term Black Food Futurism to encompass her practice. Nia Lee is a Black, queer, artist, and organizer working in food. Nia blends her traditional Afro Atlantic food lineage with imaginative art practices to create experimental and fresh new experiences with food. She coined the term Black Food Futurism to encompass her practice and has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, The Cut Magazine, Thrillist, and more. Nia is also the founder of Storme Supper Club, a Los Angeles based wine and dinner series centering queer Black women, femmes, and gender expansive people.


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