UPTOWNflavor

By Averlyn Archer

With Frida Kahlo as an inspiration, Helina Metaferia could indeed be said to be channeling the Divine Feminine. Following is an excerpt of a profile of Metaferia and her work.

Helina, what can you share about the work that you are presently creating, some of which is included here?

The mixed media series, “Finding Womban,” is about women discovering liberation by rejoicing in their femininity. The faces of bold women on a quest for soul recognition are merged with abstract images of wombs. As the viewer searches for the abstracted wombs within the paintings, the viewer experiences a similar quest to the portrayed woman who, in turn, is searching for her own feminine essence.

The women in the paintings seek to gain an emotional and spiritual connection to their wombs and facilitate healing from physical disease, misplaced sexuality, poor self-esteem, and other imbalances. It goes beyond the need to justify a gender or sexual identity. A woman’s scared center is her power, her creative life force energy. Once she is able to embrace her “shakti” feminine power and heal herself, she can then transmit that source healing to her family, community, and in turn the world.

The “Finding Womban” series was a two-year personal project in which I meditated several paintings into existence. I birthed each painting in order to discover my own feminine energy, undo negative conceptions, heal from challenges, and own up to my womanhood. After reading Queen Afua’s book “Sacred Womban” in 2005, womb healing became a path of practice for me. These paintings are my shared findings.

You can share with Helina in person as part of the Harlem Open Artist Studio Tours (HOAST) on Saturday, October 6 at 4:00 PM for her Artist’s Talk. Canvas Paper and Stone Gallery is excited to be sharing the work of this amazingly intuitive and talented artist during the HomeBase show which has its Opening Reception on Friday, September 28 from 6-9PM.

To read the complete article about Helina Metaferia, go to www.canvaspaperandstone.com/feature/