Growing up in Atlanta, with parents hailing from Washington D.C. and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Madeline D. Veira was immersed in a rich tapestry of cultures from an early age. This diverse upbringing ignited her curiosity about the African Diaspora and how it has left its mark on various corners of the globe. Inspired by her father's West Indian heritage, her mother's deep Southern African American roots, and eventually the Haitian influences from her stepmother, Veira embarked on a journey to explore the enduring remnants of African cultures in different regions.  

 

    Expressing these inquiries through a wide range of artistic mediums such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture, Veira’s multifaceted practice serves as a reflection of how historical legacies continue to shape contemporary understandings of race, gender, geography, and climate. Drawing from the methodologies of Caribbean folklorists, Black American oral historians, and radical archivists, her work celebrates the resilience, beauty, and creativity of Black individuals, particularly Black women. Through her art, she delves into the complexities of Blackness, womanhood, and queerness; challenging conventional narratives and offering a more inclusive and empowering visual language for telling the stories of African diasporic peoples.  

​

    Influenced by renowned artists like Kara Walker and Wangechi Mutu, Veira’s art is often a personal response to the enduring impacts of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. Aiming to provoke critical conversations about institutional racism, capitalism, gender, and climate change, her work points towards a future that is rooted in community and collective liberation.