Flow, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Glass, Paper, Shell, and Mother of Pearl), 24”x12”

Grow, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Paper, Watercolor, and Glass), 24”x12”

Glow, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Paper, and Glass), 24”x12”

It’s Not Over Until It’s Over, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Paper, Acrylic Cabochon Beads, and Glass Beads)

Inhale: I Need You to Survive, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Paper, Glass, and Beads), 24”x30”

Earth: World Renew, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Paper, Glass, Ceramics, Lava Beads, Cowrie, Brass, Plastic, Wood, Bone, Semi-Precious Stone, and Seed Pods), 20”x20”

Wind: Stillness and Transition, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Paper, Glass, Swarovski Crystals, and Acrylic Beads), 20”x20”

Fire: Reckon, Reawake, Rebirth; Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Paper, and Glass), 20”x20”

Seeking the Center, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Glass, Paper, Amethyst, and Beads), 20”x24”

Quiet, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Paper, and Glass), 20”x24”

My Sister’s Keeper, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Fireglass Diamonds, Glass Shards, Acrylic Beads, and Paper), 36”x36”

Strength and Honor, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Glass, and Lights), 18”x24”

She is Called Blessed, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Glass, and Lights), 18”x24”

Dreams are the Truth, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, and Glass), 12”x12”

Series Study: Presence, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Paper, and Glass), 8”x8”

Series Study: Tranquility, Mixed Media on Wood Panel (Oil, Acrylic, Paper, and Glass), 8”x8”

Connection, Mixed Media (Oil, Acrylic, and Paper), 12”x12”

Artist Info

April Sunami is a professional visual artist primarily focusing on mixed-media painting and installation. She earned her Master of Arts Degree in Art History from Ohio University and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Ohio State University. Sunami is also an award-winning installation artist through the 2012 Columbus Art Pop-Up Project sponsored by the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Her work has been widely exhibited in galleries and museums including the Columbus Museum of Art, National African America Museum and Cultural Center, and the Southern Ohio Museum. Sunami is married to writer and philosopher Christopher Sunami. They both live in Columbus, OH and co-parent two bright and imaginative kids.

"For over a decade I have considered myself a cultural producer, contributing to the ongoing conversation of race, identity and representation though the creation of paintings that place women of color front and center as the subject of my work. I deliberately create images of strong, spiritual women as a means of proclaiming my personal identity and providing a different lens for the social perception of black women.

Many of my works are titled after West African queens and deities forgotten or ignored by Western historians, Through excavating these names, I feel I am remembering a marginalized past.  In this new body of work I explore the idea of histories tied to economies and bodies tied to currency. Decorative patterns interlace with historically significant images and symbols to create images that are intended to challenge, inspire and make connections with the viewer." - April Sunami