About
Malaika Temba is a Textile Artist based in Manhattan, NY. Born in Washington D.C. of Tanzanian and American heritage, Temba grew up across Saudi Arabia, Uganda, South Africa, Morocco, and the U.S (MD, RI, NY). Temba’s lens and creative process are global, nourished by these experiences. Temba graduated with a BFA in Textiles from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2018 and is currently an adjunct professor there in the Textiles Department. In addition to her studio and teaching practice, Temba has worked at Pyer Moss, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and for contemporary artists including Jim Drain, Kenya (Robinson), and Anthony McCall. Temba has shown her work at Design Miami, the MET Gala, former Naval Base Fort Adams in Newport, RI, and on the runway at New York Fashion Week. Select exhibitions include those at Mindy Solomon Gallery in Miami, Allouche Gallery in New York, and Galerie Lilia Ben Salah in Paris, France. Her work is part of various public and private collections worldwide, including collections of Jorge M. Pérez at El Espacio 23, and Beth Rudin DeWoody at The Bunker Artspace. Temba is the 2021 recipient of the YoungArts Jorge M. Pérez Award.
CONTACT
studio@malaikatemba.com
IG @mvtemba
EDUCATION
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence, RI, 2018
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with Honors, Textile Design
Brown University, Providence, RI, 2018
Selected Courses in: Africana Studies, Modern Culture & Media, Music and Multimedia Composition, French Language
School for Poetic Computation, Dark Matters, taught by American Artist, 2022
Visual Arts Center Magnet Program, Kensington, MD, 2014
RESIDENCIES & FELLOWSHIPS
MASS MoCa: Artist in Residence, MA, 2023
Art Omi: Artist in Residence, NY, 2023
Bandung Residency, A4 Arts Alliance and Mocada, NY, 2023-2024
Silver Art Projects Digital Residency, New York, NY, 2021
Fountainhead Residency, Miami, FL, 2020-21
AWARDS
Jorge M. Pérez Award, 2021
RISD Textile Department Alumni Award, 2018
Warren Family Social Engagement Award, 2018
U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts Semi-Finalist, 2014
Haimovicz Award, MD, 2014
YoungArts Foundation National Winner in Visual Arts, 2014
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
Wildfires on Mount Kilimanjaro, Galerie Lilia Ben Salah, Paris, France (March 27 - May 20, 2023)
Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues, SOHO House, Miami, FL (February, 2023)
2021
Not Yet Uhuru, Naomi Fassil Gallery, New York, NY (December 16, 2021)
Sugarcane Is Sweetest At The Joint, Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami, FL (June 26 - July 31, 2021)
GROUP EXHIBITIONS2023
New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA), Miami (December 5 - 9)
Historic Hampton House Miami (December 4 - January 22)
Art Abu Dhabi Fair, Galerie Lilia Ben Salah, Abu Dhabi, UAE (November 24 - 27)
Art Cologne Fair, Gaa Gallery, Cologne, Germany (November 16 - 19, 2023)
Quaquaversal, Gaa Gallery, New York, NY (July 14 - August, 2023)
Family Style, Situations Gallery, New York, NY (July 12 - August 4, 2023)
Hand Over Hand, Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami, FL (April 30 - June 10, 2023)
Art Paris Art Fair, Galerie Lilia Ben Salah, Paris, France (April 2 - 6, 2023)
Expo Chicago Art Fair, Mindy Solomon Gallery, Chicago, IL (April 14 - 17, 2023)
2022
In Moonlight We Turn Blue, STRADA, New York (October, 2022)
Positions and Points of View (Partis Pris et Points de Vue), Galerie Lilia Ben Salah, Paris, France (September 8 - October 8, 2022)
A Confluence of Coastal Creativity, Albertz Benda and Mindy Solomon, Los Angeles, CA (July 8 - August 5, 2022)
Culture, STRADA, New York, NY (February, 2022)
2021
Operation Varsity Blues, curated by Charles Moore, Allouche Gallery, New York (June 5 - July 5, 2021)
2020
Loom, Longing, The Yard, New York
2018
Education as a Practice of Freedom, curated by Jasmine Wahi, Miami, FL
String Theory, Woods Gerry Gallery, Providence, RI The Sweeter the Juice, Benson Gallery, Providence, RI
2017
Mutual Encounters, Gelman Gallery, RISD Museum, Providence, RI
2016
Octo, Sound Arts Performance, Providence, RI
Fort Adams: Drawing Parallels, Listening for Echos, installation at Fort Adams, RI
2014
YoungArts Winners in Visual Arts, Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.; and YoungArts Building, Miami, FL
2013
The Rendering Project, George Washington University, DC
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami
Lilia Ben Salah Gallery, Paris
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
The Bunker Artspace, collection of Beth Rudin DeWoody, Palm Beach, FL
N’Namdi Collection, Miami, FL
El Espacio 23, collection of Jorge M. Pérez, Miami, FL
Selig Sacks (American Folk Art Museum), New York, NY
Michael Sherman (Hammer Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art), Private Collection
ARTIST TALK Brooklyn Museum, Africa Fashion Exhibit in conversation with co-curators Ernestine White-Mifetu and Annissa Malvoisin, 2023
RISD Textiles Department, Providence, RI, 2022
Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, FL, 2021
Queens Council on the Arts, New York, NY, 2021
RISD Textiles Department, Providence, RI, 2021
Fountainhead Arts Open Studios, Miami, FL, 2020
SPECIAL PROJECTS
2023
Print Design, Head of State, New York Fashion Week SS 2023
Nike x Head of State x Malaika Temba Shoe Collaboration FW 2023
2022
‘Sesame Street: 50 Years Of Sunny Days’ Documentary - Artwork Feature
2021
Rhymes with Reason, Merchandise Design and Production
2020
Graphic Design and Production, “Sue Me” by Wale Music Video
Graphic Design and Screenprinting, BLM Community Print Event
2019
Merchandise Design, Jay-Z’s Made in America Festival 2018-19
Merchandise Design, Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture
BIBLIOGRAPHY2023
Wonderland Magazine Cover, Head of State x Malaika Temba for Kaytranada
“Malaika Temba, Les Feux Du Mont Kilimandjaro,” Point Contemporain (May 9, 2023) http://pointcontemporain.com/en-direct-exposition-malaika-temba-les-feux-du-mont-kilimandjaro/
Top 5 Booths at Expo Chicago 2023, New City Art, (April 14, 2023) https://art.newcity.com/2023/04/14/top-5-booths-at-expo-chicago-2023/
2022
“Designer Taofeek Abijako on His New Exhibit Exploring Black Vulnerability,” Vogue (October 20, 2022). https://www.vogue.com/article/head-of-state-taofeek-abijako-in-moonlight-we-turn-blue-exhibit
“Textile Designer Malaika Temba Speaks on Her Journey Into the Art World,” interview with Red Carpet Segments, Voice of America (March 26, 2022). https://www.voanews.com/a/textile-designer-malaika-temba-speaks-on-her-journey-into-the-art-world/6502877.html
2021
Naomi Fassil Gallery, “Malaika Temba: Not Yet Uhuru,” Stay Happening (December 16, 2021). https://stayhappening.com/e/malaika-temba-not-yet-uhuru-E3LUTHAPIJ6R
Galerie Editors, “Next Big Things: Malaika Temba,” Galerie Magazine (December 3, 2021). https://galeriemagazine.com/next-big-things-malaika-temba/
“On Its 40th Anniversary, YoungArts Is Just Getting Started,” Cultured Magazine (November 10, 2021). https://www.culturedmag.com/article/2021/11/10/on-its-40th-anniversary-youngarts-is-just-getting-started
“Sugarcane is Sweetest at the Joint: Solo Exhibition by Malaika Temba,” YoungArts (June 26, 2021). https://youngarts.org/calendar/sugarcane-is-sweetest-at-the-joint-solo-exhibition-by-malaika-temba/
Tyler Francischine, “Malaika Temba’s Textile Works Exhibit a Reverence for the Process,” Miami New Times (June 25, 2021). https://www.miaminewtimes.com/miami/Print?oid=12389251
“‘Operation Varsity Blues’ at Allouche Gallery,” Surface Design Association (June 16, 2021). https://www.surfacedesign.org/operation-varsity-blues-at-allouche-gallery/
Jose D. Duran, “June 2021 Gallery Guide: Bhakti Baxter, Juan Ledesma, Malaika Temba, and More,” Miami New Times (June 9, 2021). https://www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/june-2021-miami-art-guide-bhakti-baxter-malaika-temba-tal-amitai-lavi-and-tal-frank-12335632
Charles Moore and Alexandra M. Thomas, “Operation Varsity Blues,” exhibition catalog for exhibition Operation Varsity Blues at Allouche Gallery, June 5 - July 5, 2021, New York, NY. https://issuu.com/deannaluudesign/docs/varsity_blues_pages
“Malaika Temba receives YoungArts Jorge M. Pérez Award,” artdaily (May 30, 2021). https://artdaily.com/news/136150/Malaika-Temba-receives-YoungArts-Jorge-M--P-rez-Award-#.YkXEFi-B1pQ
“Malaika Temba Receives National YoungArts Foundation Jorge M. Pérez Award,” YoungArts (May 27, 2021). https://youngarts.org/press-releases/malaika-temba-recieves-national-youngarts-foundation-jorge-m-perez-award/
2020
“‘Vote or Die’ T-shirts are back, with a twist,” New York Times, (September 23, 2020). https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/elections/vote-or-die-t-shirts-are-back-with-a-twist.html
2018
Whitewall, “Whitewaller Miami 2018: What to See,” whitewaller (December 3, 2018). https://whitewall.art/art/whitewaller-miami-2018-see
PROFESSIONAL
2022-2024
Part-Time Faculty and Critic, Textile Department, Rhode Island School of Design, RI
2019-2020
Assistant Art Director and Graphic Designer, Pyer Moss, New York, NY
Design and Production, Pyer Moss, New York, NY
2018
Product Designer, LG& Design Associates, New York, NY
Graphic Designer and Content Creator, Schomburg Shop, Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture, New York, NY
Jim Drain Studio Assistant, Providence, RI
2017
Kenya (Robinson) Studio Assistant, Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, NY
2016-2018
Assistant Technician, RISD Textile Department, RI
2015-2016
Teaching Assistant, RISD Experimental and Foundation Studies, RI
CONTACT
studio@malaikatemba.com
IG @mvtemba
CV
EDUCATION
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Providence, RI, 2018
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with Honors, Textile Design
Brown University, Providence, RI, 2018
Selected Courses in: Africana Studies, Modern Culture & Media, Music and Multimedia Composition, French Language
School for Poetic Computation, Dark Matters, taught by American Artist, 2022
Visual Arts Center Magnet Program, Kensington, MD, 2014
RESIDENCIES & FELLOWSHIPS
MASS MoCa: Artist in Residence, MA, 2023
Art Omi: Artist in Residence, NY, 2023
Bandung Residency, A4 Arts Alliance and Mocada, NY, 2023-2024
Silver Art Projects Digital Residency, New York, NY, 2021
Fountainhead Residency, Miami, FL, 2020-21
AWARDS
Jorge M. Pérez Award, 2021
RISD Textile Department Alumni Award, 2018
Warren Family Social Engagement Award, 2018
U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts Semi-Finalist, 2014
Haimovicz Award, MD, 2014
YoungArts Foundation National Winner in Visual Arts, 2014
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
Wildfires on Mount Kilimanjaro, Galerie Lilia Ben Salah, Paris, France (March 27 - May 20, 2023)
Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues, SOHO House, Miami, FL (February, 2023)
2021
Not Yet Uhuru, Naomi Fassil Gallery, New York, NY (December 16, 2021)
Sugarcane Is Sweetest At The Joint, Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami, FL (June 26 - July 31, 2021)
GROUP EXHIBITIONS2023
New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA), Miami (December 5 - 9)
Historic Hampton House Miami (December 4 - January 22)
Art Abu Dhabi Fair, Galerie Lilia Ben Salah, Abu Dhabi, UAE (November 24 - 27)
Art Cologne Fair, Gaa Gallery, Cologne, Germany (November 16 - 19, 2023)
Quaquaversal, Gaa Gallery, New York, NY (July 14 - August, 2023)
Family Style, Situations Gallery, New York, NY (July 12 - August 4, 2023)
Hand Over Hand, Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami, FL (April 30 - June 10, 2023)
Art Paris Art Fair, Galerie Lilia Ben Salah, Paris, France (April 2 - 6, 2023)
Expo Chicago Art Fair, Mindy Solomon Gallery, Chicago, IL (April 14 - 17, 2023)
2022
In Moonlight We Turn Blue, STRADA, New York (October, 2022)
Positions and Points of View (Partis Pris et Points de Vue), Galerie Lilia Ben Salah, Paris, France (September 8 - October 8, 2022)
A Confluence of Coastal Creativity, Albertz Benda and Mindy Solomon, Los Angeles, CA (July 8 - August 5, 2022)
Culture, STRADA, New York, NY (February, 2022)
2021
Operation Varsity Blues, curated by Charles Moore, Allouche Gallery, New York (June 5 - July 5, 2021)
2020
Loom, Longing, The Yard, New York
2018
Education as a Practice of Freedom, curated by Jasmine Wahi, Miami, FL
String Theory, Woods Gerry Gallery, Providence, RI The Sweeter the Juice, Benson Gallery, Providence, RI
2017
Mutual Encounters, Gelman Gallery, RISD Museum, Providence, RI
2016
Octo, Sound Arts Performance, Providence, RI
Fort Adams: Drawing Parallels, Listening for Echos, installation at Fort Adams, RI
2014
YoungArts Winners in Visual Arts, Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.; and YoungArts Building, Miami, FL
2013
The Rendering Project, George Washington University, DC
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami
Lilia Ben Salah Gallery, Paris
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
The Bunker Artspace, collection of Beth Rudin DeWoody, Palm Beach, FL
N’Namdi Collection, Miami, FL
El Espacio 23, collection of Jorge M. Pérez, Miami, FL
Selig Sacks (American Folk Art Museum), New York, NY
Michael Sherman (Hammer Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art), Private Collection
ARTIST TALK Brooklyn Museum, Africa Fashion Exhibit in conversation with co-curators Ernestine White-Mifetu and Annissa Malvoisin, 2023
RISD Textiles Department, Providence, RI, 2022
Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, FL, 2021
Queens Council on the Arts, New York, NY, 2021
RISD Textiles Department, Providence, RI, 2021
Fountainhead Arts Open Studios, Miami, FL, 2020
SPECIAL PROJECTS
2023
Print Design, Head of State, New York Fashion Week SS 2023
Nike x Head of State x Malaika Temba Shoe Collaboration FW 2023
2022
‘Sesame Street: 50 Years Of Sunny Days’ Documentary - Artwork Feature
2021
Rhymes with Reason, Merchandise Design and Production
2020
Graphic Design and Production, “Sue Me” by Wale Music Video
Graphic Design and Screenprinting, BLM Community Print Event
2019
Merchandise Design, Jay-Z’s Made in America Festival 2018-19
Merchandise Design, Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture
BIBLIOGRAPHY2023
Wonderland Magazine Cover, Head of State x Malaika Temba for Kaytranada
“Malaika Temba, Les Feux Du Mont Kilimandjaro,” Point Contemporain (May 9, 2023) http://pointcontemporain.com/en-direct-exposition-malaika-temba-les-feux-du-mont-kilimandjaro/
Top 5 Booths at Expo Chicago 2023, New City Art, (April 14, 2023) https://art.newcity.com/2023/04/14/top-5-booths-at-expo-chicago-2023/
2022
“Designer Taofeek Abijako on His New Exhibit Exploring Black Vulnerability,” Vogue (October 20, 2022). https://www.vogue.com/article/head-of-state-taofeek-abijako-in-moonlight-we-turn-blue-exhibit
“Textile Designer Malaika Temba Speaks on Her Journey Into the Art World,” interview with Red Carpet Segments, Voice of America (March 26, 2022). https://www.voanews.com/a/textile-designer-malaika-temba-speaks-on-her-journey-into-the-art-world/6502877.html
2021
Naomi Fassil Gallery, “Malaika Temba: Not Yet Uhuru,” Stay Happening (December 16, 2021). https://stayhappening.com/e/malaika-temba-not-yet-uhuru-E3LUTHAPIJ6R
Galerie Editors, “Next Big Things: Malaika Temba,” Galerie Magazine (December 3, 2021). https://galeriemagazine.com/next-big-things-malaika-temba/
“On Its 40th Anniversary, YoungArts Is Just Getting Started,” Cultured Magazine (November 10, 2021). https://www.culturedmag.com/article/2021/11/10/on-its-40th-anniversary-youngarts-is-just-getting-started
“Sugarcane is Sweetest at the Joint: Solo Exhibition by Malaika Temba,” YoungArts (June 26, 2021). https://youngarts.org/calendar/sugarcane-is-sweetest-at-the-joint-solo-exhibition-by-malaika-temba/
Tyler Francischine, “Malaika Temba’s Textile Works Exhibit a Reverence for the Process,” Miami New Times (June 25, 2021). https://www.miaminewtimes.com/miami/Print?oid=12389251
“‘Operation Varsity Blues’ at Allouche Gallery,” Surface Design Association (June 16, 2021). https://www.surfacedesign.org/operation-varsity-blues-at-allouche-gallery/
Jose D. Duran, “June 2021 Gallery Guide: Bhakti Baxter, Juan Ledesma, Malaika Temba, and More,” Miami New Times (June 9, 2021). https://www.miaminewtimes.com/arts/june-2021-miami-art-guide-bhakti-baxter-malaika-temba-tal-amitai-lavi-and-tal-frank-12335632
Charles Moore and Alexandra M. Thomas, “Operation Varsity Blues,” exhibition catalog for exhibition Operation Varsity Blues at Allouche Gallery, June 5 - July 5, 2021, New York, NY. https://issuu.com/deannaluudesign/docs/varsity_blues_pages
“Malaika Temba receives YoungArts Jorge M. Pérez Award,” artdaily (May 30, 2021). https://artdaily.com/news/136150/Malaika-Temba-receives-YoungArts-Jorge-M--P-rez-Award-#.YkXEFi-B1pQ
“Malaika Temba Receives National YoungArts Foundation Jorge M. Pérez Award,” YoungArts (May 27, 2021). https://youngarts.org/press-releases/malaika-temba-recieves-national-youngarts-foundation-jorge-m-perez-award/
2020
“‘Vote or Die’ T-shirts are back, with a twist,” New York Times, (September 23, 2020). https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/23/us/elections/vote-or-die-t-shirts-are-back-with-a-twist.html
2018
Whitewall, “Whitewaller Miami 2018: What to See,” whitewaller (December 3, 2018). https://whitewall.art/art/whitewaller-miami-2018-see
PROFESSIONAL
2022-2024
Part-Time Faculty and Critic, Textile Department, Rhode Island School of Design, RI
2019-2020
Assistant Art Director and Graphic Designer, Pyer Moss, New York, NY
Design and Production, Pyer Moss, New York, NY
2018
Product Designer, LG& Design Associates, New York, NY
Graphic Designer and Content Creator, Schomburg Shop, Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture, New York, NY
Jim Drain Studio Assistant, Providence, RI
2017
Kenya (Robinson) Studio Assistant, Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, NY
2016-2018
Assistant Technician, RISD Textile Department, RI
2015-2016
Teaching Assistant, RISD Experimental and Foundation Studies, RI