Rooted Reflections: The Fabric of Self by Nija Woods
Black History Month Exhibition
Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture and the Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School in Partnership with Woodcuts Gallery and Framing presented the exhibition.
The exhibition was held from February 19-March 26, 2026, and included an opening reception and a gallery talk.
Artist’s Statement:
My work creates immersive, material-based environments that invite reflection, grounding, and emotional presence. Rooted in therapeutic art practices and designed with accessibility in mind, my work explores how color, texture, and space can support moments of pause allowing viewers to slow down and engage with their inner landscapes in ways that feel intuitive and welcoming.
Color plays a central role in my practice and is used intentionally as both language and guide. I combine textiles, sculptural frameworks, wire, and natural materials to build environments that hold softness and tension at the same time. These materials reflect lived experience and cultural memory, drawing from Black cultural traditions while emphasizing joy, celebration, and emotional expansiveness rather than pain.
My process is rooted in introspection and storytelling. Each piece often begins with a written word, phrase, or internal reflection that gradually evolves into form. Rather than offering fixed meanings, I create open spaces that encourage viewers to slow down, move intentionally, and find personal resonance within the work through moments of rest, pleasure, and connection.