Nkengi Freeman

About

Artist statement

My work explores transformation as both a creative process and a human experience. Working across fashion, visual art, installation, and community-centered projects, I use materials, stories, and spaces as tools for reimagining what is possible. I am very interested in the relationship between identity, resilience, memory, and reinvention. Growing up on Charlotte’s West Side taught me how to find value in what others often overlook. That perspective continues to guide my practice. Through upcycling, material experimentation, and storytelling, I transform discarded, forgotten, or ordinary objects into works that invite reflection and connection. Whether creating garments, immersive environments, or collaborative experiences, I am drawn to the idea that transformation can be both personal and collective. Fashion remains an important foundation of my work, but my practice is increasingly expanding beyond the body and into installation, public engagement, and interdisciplinary art. I am interested in creating experiences that blur the boundaries between art, design, education, and community participation. As an educator, I view creativity as a powerful tool for empowerment. Community engagement is not separate from my artistic practice—it is central to it. I strive to create work that encourages curiosity, celebrates resourcefulness, and invites people to see themselves and their surroundings in new ways. Through experimentation and collaboration, I seek to create art that sparks dialogue, fosters connection, and demonstrates the transformative power of creativity