Photograph: Sky Lee, "Vinny modeling wearable art," photography, 2022, 16"x24"

Model: Vinny

Earrings: Azania Tripp, "Vibe," multi-media paper collage earrings, 2"x3.5"

The Azania Means Freedom Project is a captivating multimedia art exhibition. The core of the project celebrates freedom, resilience, and the vibrant narratives of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. Through a blend of paper collage earrings, engaging photography, and soul-stirring music, Tripp invites viewers on a journey of exploration and empowerment.

Tripp's collage earrings serve as both accessories and conduits of storytelling. Each piece is meticulously crafted to depict themes of Afrofuturism, Eurasian culture, the power of joy, and the enduring impact of historical trauma. From bold images of people adorned with flowers and birds to surreal scenes of figures sitting atop giant fruits, Tripp's work is a testament to celebration.

Collaboration with Hmong Minnesotan filmmaker and photographer Skye Lee expands the narrative project by featuring portraits of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals in motion with the earrings. 

Enhancing the immersive experience is the original music by Maya Ntim-Mackins, an Ashanti/Akan Minnesotan composer and producer. Ntim-Mackins’ sound is evocative, enveloping viewers in a rich auditory landscape that complements Tripp's visual storytelling and Lee's photography.

Azania Tripp, LGSW, lives and works in the Twin Cities, where she is a mental health therapist at Reviving Roots Therapy and Wellness and the business owner of Obsidian Pause | Wearable Paper Art. This project was possible through the Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Support for Individuals FY 2021 and Spark Leadership grant award from CAAL (Coalition for Asian American Leaders) in 2022.