SOLO EXHIBITION
SOLO EXHIBITION
SOLO EXHIBITION
The World's Leading Contemporary Fine Art Gallery
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The World's Leading Contemporary Fine Art Gallery
Danielle
Mbenda
UNITED STATES
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“I hope to contribute to cultural diversity for dialogue and development.”
Danielle Mbenda, a girl, always smiles unless something serious happens. She is an Austin-based Mixed media textile artist and was born-and-raised Cameroonian girl with nothing more than passion, a laptop, and a dream. She is a self-taught artist with a strong background in Architecture, IT Software Development, and Therapeutic Art.
The Forbidden Has Opened Again is inspired by how that woman, survivor of an abusive relationship, struggled to open herself once more to life, to people and things, to someone else, to another partner.
Some people think it's easy from the outside. However, the inside is painful, scary, and regretful.
Behind her creations lies inspiration from her lifetime of experiences and her lifelong passion as an artist. Undoubtedly, many people experience the same thing she has been through, or even worse. Some of them can't find help. Some others have people around, but they don't have the strength and the courage to ask for help. Victims of violence are often silent. While undergoing that experience, Danielle learned to express herself through her daily outfits and designs
emotionally manipulated by her domestic partner.
One minute he will criticize her.
The next minute he would compliment her.
Next, he will say that she is too sensitive.
The same scenarios happened repeatedly and reached the point at which she could not trust her own thoughts. Her mind was his mind. With him, she lived in a whirlwind of emotions that escaped her.
The mix of various patterns and colors she designed and wore became her unique way of communicating her feelings and emotions and sending her message to the world. That became a true inspiration driving her passion for women's empowerment while building on her legacy to positively impact future generations of women by stopping them from slipping into the trauma of violence, gender inequality, and women subjugation.
Her commitment expands into Diversity and Inclusion.
Danielle wants to showcase that there are inherent values and beauty in African heritage. From a cultural perspective, she creates artworks that highlight the beauty of diversity. It is a part of the cultural exchange, making the world a more beautiful and connected place for everyone.
“A particular piece at the center of her creations is the African Fabric, which has always been the silent African woman's means of responding indirectly to various situations, frustrations, and questions”
She uses various sewing techniques with multiple fabrics that she pairs with traditional and modern objects like horns, moss, cowries shells, pearls, wood, mirrors, and much more. Sometimes she adds a touch of acrylic to her artworks. In addition, she purchases some traditional materials from local artisans in Africa. That is one way for her to participate in the artisan economy - those who practice traditional crafts as a means to earn income and sustain their livelihoods.
Brain Upside Down is about a girl's mind is at play by the one she thought she knew very well.
"Another way of manipulation was playing with my mind.
He would tell me that this or that event did not go as I said. Then he would correct my story.
And, even if my side of the story were correct, he would do anything to implant his own version in my mind.
Here is his favorite manipulation: he would convince me that what I saw, heard or did, never happened! Or, at least, not the way I remembered it."
Her artworks address social and cultural needs and intend to empower women in communities around the globe while promoting identity and inclusion as a global heritage
This artwork is inspired by my commitment to Inclusion and Diversity.
Black power fist in a heart full of love and protection.
You matter. I matter. We matter.
Danielle's creativity is not limited to handcrafted mixed media textiles. She found herself exploring the area of digital art as well as other decorative arts like pillow covers, things that stir your imagination and make you and your space feel seen and known. Danielle's goal is that her art immerses you into a space in which if someone asks how you feel, your answer is: "I feel home."
So much more is about how far in her womb violence could reach a woman.
From her womb, her twin babies showed her who she was at her core.
That man’s words had caught those babies too.
And maybe just like she did,
They had started to believe him.
They believed him...Until they could take it no more.
People called it “miscarriage.” She called it “abuse.”
Its impressionable colors and patterns have been actual nests of answers and feelings from women. They preferred to express themselves through the patterns of the Fabric they wore, whether it was a disagreement, contempt, victory, congratulation, or joy, while the mouth remained closed. The African Fabric is artistic; it is cultural, social and found at the foundation/base of beliefs, institutions, and social structures. It ceases to be only a cloth or garment and becomes a place of knowledge and Culture, a reflection of African society.
You can’t change the past, but you can choose how your past will change the person you are today.
Because the past can be either an excuse not to move forward, or a springboard to realize yourself and give birth to the best version of yourself.
Danielle firmly believes that Culture is the possibility of creating, renewing, and sharing values, the inspiration which increases the vitality of humanity. She strongly believes that valuable cultural exchange is mutual. And that exchange offers the opportunity for more profound and prolonged commitment between people and encourages responsible global citizens
She was young. It was her first pregnancy. She was excited.
She tried to understand him. She didn't want to believe it.
The pregnancy was the trigger.
He seemed to care for the outside more than the inside.
More than the life growing inside of her.
From that life, she found strength.
Strength to escape.
Escape before the worst.
"She embarked on a journey to raise awareness of gender-based violence from a cultural and artistic perspective."
This piece shows the gendered character of the African fabrics related to women's social roles, which contribute to structuring society. The African Fabric has always been the means of expression of the silent African woman who has chosen not to respond directly. Its impressionable colors and patterns have been actual nests of answers and feelings from women to various questions, situations, and frustrations...
From her life experience and others, Danielle continues to learn new things each day and expand her ideas about living a fully creative and meaningful life. Danielle continues to create pieces poised for further growth in communities around the globe.
The eagle is symbolic of the importance of honesty and truthful principles. Eagle is about self-defense and protection in the struggle.
Soar like an eagle.
Feel that you belong and know that you're respected.
Feel that you're valued and know that you're powerful.
Live your life with strength, higher perspective, expansion, loyalty, vision, and manifestation.
She hopes to inspire and empower women with the courage to break free from the chains of limiting belief patterns and chase their dreams. She wants them to live their lives in their own condition and flourish as an individual. She hopes women of the world will be independent and fre
A gesture of Love is inspired by the story of a girl, spouse, and mother, that stayed in an abusive relationship.
When some people hear about someone being in an unhealthy relationship, the first question they ask is, "Why won't she leave?".
Some people answered: "She loves her husband."
She said: "I wanted my child to have a father."