Amel Janae is a multidisciplinary artist based in San Diego, California.  The foundation of her practice prioritizes inclusivity and representation of black and brown skin, as it is often neglected and viewed as undesirable.  Her artistic vision is grounded in the celebration of our skin, in addition to any and all types of skin deemed ‘imperfect,’ throughout her work.  She implements this through her ongoing series of ‘Bodyscapes’.  This series began with large scale oil paintings of ambiguous limbs and curves; they overlap among slivers of mirrored glass that the viewer becomes a part of through their reflection.

Following her series of painted mirrors, she introduced self-portraiture to her work through textiles and body photography; she created a body of work that combined the two mediums.  This work consisted of magnified photographs printed on textiles, suspended from the ceiling for an interactive experience.  Thereafter, she took the initiative to print her photographs on wearable fabrics to produce hand-cut-and-sewn garments.  Through these mediums, she continues to explore the theme of cultural expression by showcasing body types, colors, and shapes that are under-represented in the arts.