There is an ease to the artistic work of Atlanta-based Symone Lakes. She demonstrates clear familiarity with her subject, referencing her background in African American studies to honor the beauty and power of Blackness and stylistic choice. She uses unconventional means to honor her base influences. In Lakes’ work you will find paper and paint, fabrics and embossing powders, found and curated materials. According to Lakes, “what it’s made for and how we use it doesn’t have to align”. Her artistic choices are a thoughtful rebellion, a confrontation of so-called traditional roles. Her resignation to detail resonates; she has shown work in over twenty exhibitions and won multiple awards* for her unique eye.

Lakes respects that good work must embrace flow. Politics are linear. Humans are not. We are a collection of our influences, not a reflection of them. Black genius lies in the improv. It allows for an ancestral wealth of materials; we exist in both light and shadows, love and rage, beauty and crudeness. We are what you see and what you will never meet. Lakes’ work excavates her inner world to create something new, celebratory, and powerfully personal.

Symone Lakes

Artist Statement

I’m a defiant woman. My work is resistance.

Society tells us:

follow these rules
wear these clothes
straighten out those curls
hide yourself
cover your body
be quiet
smile

And my art says “Fukk that.”

My choice to create in mixed media parallels the act of getting ready and choosing specific items to assemble an outfit that represents who you are, where you’re going, and what you believe. My art encourages play while considering fashion and adornment as a form of performance, protest, and statement.

With each completed piece, I’m offering my audience, particularly Black women, the very same things I want for myself. To be seen. To be heard. To be valued. And accepted. For exactly who I am and the ways I choose to present on any given day.

Materials and Process

Whether digital or analog, each piece begins by sifting through and cutting imagery from both contemporary and vintage magazines. Sometimes, those clippings will be assembled, scanned and finished digitally. Other times, each individual piece is scanned and enlarged to create more substantial and sometimes life-sized work. Once assembled, each piece is styled with material accessories to finalize the look.

“this whatever i say it is.”

— Symone Lakes

“Style has a profound meaning to Black Americans. If we can’t drive, we will invent walks and the world will envy the dexterity of our feet. If we can’t have ham, we will boil chitterlings; if we are given rotten peaches, we will make cobblers; if given scraps, we will make quilts; take away our drums, and we will clap our hands. We prove the human spirit will prevail. We will take what we have to make what we need. We need confidence in our knowledge of who we are.”

— Nikki Giovanni

*manifest, manifest, manifest

CV.

SOLO EXIBITIONS
2019- 1 of Minnie (Atlanta, Georgia)
2025- A Vibrant Thang (Avondale Estates, GA) *scheduled
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025- VIVID 2025 | d’Art Center (Norfolk, VA)
2025- Atlanta Black Theater Festival Visual Art Gallery | Spelman College (Atlanta, GA)
2025- Small Wonders | Avondale Art Alliance (Avondale Estates, GA)
2025- HoochieCon | Artifacts Gallery (Memphis, TN)
2025- A Portrait of Reproductive Liberation | The Bakery (Atlanta, GA)
2025- BLOOM Art Show | Artful Walls Gallery (Harlem, NY)
2025- Pink Silo | Wavelength Space (Chattanooga, TN)
2025- #COI18, Revelations (Atlanta, GA)
2025- Feels ATL, Forever Ever (Atlanta, GA)
2025- The Seed & The Sower | Arts Council of Fayetteville (Fayetteville, NC)
2020- Power to the Woman | Koncept House (Atlanta, Georgia)
2020- Afro Art | Hapeville Maker Space (Hapeville, Georgia)
2019- Tints and Shades | Hapeville Maker Space (Hapeville, Georgia)
2019- A Spectacular Black Girl Art Show | Westside Cultural Arts Center (Atlanta, Georgia)
2018- Black Excellence Forever (Atlanta, Georgia)
2010- The All Pink Everything, Fashion Show (Atlanta, GA)
2010- Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Fashion Show (Atlanta, GA)
MURALS/LIVE PAINTING
2020- Google for Start Ups (Atlanta, Georgia)
2019- Curls, Kinks, and Culture (Atlanta Georgia)
2019- Taliah Waajid World Natural Hair Show (Atlanta, Georgia)
COMMISSIONS
2024- University of Alabama, Department of Theater and Dance (Tuscaloosa, AL)
PUBLICATIONS/MEDIA
2019- Voyage ATL “Meet Symone Symone of Omi Grace in Covington”
AWARDS/RECOGNITION
2024- Short List, Category: Fashion (Single Image),
Contemporary Collage Awards by Contemporary Collage Magazine
OTHER
2025- Black Art Pop-Up | Blavity + Black Girl Art Show (Atlanta, GA)
2024- Partner, Essence Festival SOKO MKT (New Orleans, LA)
2024- Panel, “Dear Sister,” University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL)
2021- Speaker, Netflix XD Speakers Series (Virtual)
2019- Target + Essence Holiday Market (Atlanta, GA)
2019- 2021 Featured Artist, FLR-PLN (Atlanta, Georgia)
EDUCATION
2005- B.A. African American Studies, Mercer University

MIXED MEDIA

Even in the Summer Time

11×14
acrylic, marker, magazine clippings, cardstock on canvas
2024
ALL NEW TALENT MUST BE FIERCE

24×36
tissue paper, enlarged magazine clippings, acrylic, marker on canvas
2025
Last of Her Name

20×30
tissue paper, enlarged magazine clippings, acrylic, marker on canvas
2025
I'm That Girl

16×20

acrylic, marker, magazine clippings on canvas
2024
A Soft Vessel #1

16×20
tissue paper, acrylic, marker, enlarged magazine clippings, wax crayon on canvas
2025
Sister, Sister

16×20
acrylic, marker, magazine clippings on canvas
2023
Flashing Lights

18×36
tissue paper, acrylic, enlarged magazine clippings on canvas
2024
Especially in Order to Be Open to the Wind

16×20
acrylic, marker, magazine clippings on paper
2024
Sundress Season

10×10
acrylic, magazine clippings, marker, wax crayon
2025
By the Light of My Own Reflection

8×8
acrylic, marker, magazine clippings on canvas
2025
Small Things to a Giant

11×14
magazine clippings, marker on board
2025

DIGITAL + ANALOG COLLAGE

When Sunday Comes

2024

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Afrobella

2023

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The Hands That Held Me

2023

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Kokomo

2023

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Bouquet of Dreams

2023

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Don't Push Me

2024

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Wherever You Go, I Grow

2024
Commission: University of Alabama, Department of Theater and Dance

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Victress

2024

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Penn

2024

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Black Beret

2023

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Watch This

2023

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Lipstick Lover

2023

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Ultra Sheena

2025
Ultra Light Beam

2023

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My Mic Sounds Nice

2024

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Hat 2 Da Back

2024

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