Angela Pilgrim
If hair could talk, Screen print on paper, 8.5 in x 11 inches, 2021.
“When I think of the colors I use in my work, I think of them as dreamy, imaginative cogs that communicate what I am articulating.”
Angela Pilgrim is an artist living and working in Newark, New Jersey (USA). In her work she uses complimentary colors to explores color theory to further connect her language to the viewer. Her precision-oriented prints incorporate abstract shapes, patterns and Black identity/narrative. Angela works with screenprinting, risography, painting and collage.
Her current work focuses on a series of risograph prints and a book about the story of black girl(s)/women hairstyle experience, and a risograph book on the connection between mother, son and the world called "black boy warrior".
Are there specific associations and cultural aspects towards color in your work and its mind space?
Much of the color palette in my work is made of pinks, blues, yellows, black, white, purples and pastels. I find myself studying moments in time, vintage ads in eras such as the 60, 70s, 80s and 90s that inspire my work.
When I think of the colors I use in my work, I think of them as dreamy, imaginative cogs that communicate what I am articulating. Often my imagination is filled with nostalgia and memory. A dream- like state explained for me is pastels and gradients; my work gives me feel-good, happy and light and expressive mood/ambiance.
In Western culture: blue and pink tones represent calming, trust and security and this palette helps me describe the women I depict in my work as having a sense of peace and trust within themselves and their identity. Purple tones support the narratives of the black women in my work as royal, spiritual, and important.
Seated, Screen print on paper, 8.5 in x 11 inches, 2021.
“[Without color] my work would tell a different story, one that wouldn’t be as emotive and relatable.”
Mama love & joy, Screen print on paper, 8.5 in x 11 inches, 2021.
Where do you reside between technical and intuitive in your work as an artist using color?
I still welcome learning in my journey. I have some technical aspects to my printmaking use of color - but I truly love experimenting with what can work to explore unconventionality, just for the joy of it. So I teeter somewhere in between. Printmaking allows me to think about how or what color should come first when layering my prints. Aside from using transparent base, when printing flat layer of color without base, I have to think about how different colors react with and on top of other colors.
What can printmaking ink achieve regarding color in your work that no other material can?
I really enjoy how ink interacts with some fabric pieces I've done and that shapes overall what color I should use and what I should not. The type of fabric and what color fabric as well is important to master when working with ink. I've found that depending on your surface color, it may dry completely different than you'd imagine it to (which can be a great thing in developing a piece).
“Blue and pink tones represent calming, trust and security. It helps me describe the women I depict in my work as having a sense of peace and trust within themselves and their identity. Purple tones helps me depict the narratives of the black women as royal, spiritual, and important.”
If you could eat a color for dinner, what color would you choose and how would it taste?
Pink- I imagine it would taste floral, candied sweet, a bit tangy and leave strong cherry-like notes on your tongue.
What color do you wish you could buy?
It has to be the darkest black color. Which closest would have to be the material, color - Vanta Black. The material absorbs 99.965% of visible light - I'd use Vanta Black to experiment on a few pieces on paper vs, fabric.
What would your work be without color?
I imagine my work would tell a different story, one that may not be expressed the same way, wouldn't be as emotive and relatable.
Mama taught me, Screen print on paper, 8.5 in x 11 inches, 2021.