Tokie Rome-Taylor is an interdisciplinary photo-based artist who explores themes of time, spirituality, and identity. She earned her B.A. in Art Education from Morris Brown College, followed by a Master’s and Specialist from Lesley University in Curriculum and Technology. Her practice investigates the cultural, spiritual, and familial histories of African Americans in the South, reflecting both what has been remembered and what has been lost over time. Recently, PFF had the pleasure of sitting down with the artist to ask some questions about her works and her process.
Tokie’s creative process begins with photography. She collaborates with families as a foundation for her works and discovers heirlooms and stories from their pasts, using them as the base for her pieces. When no artifacts exist, she works with them to create new ones, ensuring that these untold stories live on. However, that is merely the start of her work.
“For me, a photograph is just a base material like a painter has their canvas. The photograph for me is just a base. I’m not trying to depict the actual everyday. I’m not a documentarian by any means and so I’m taking that base image and looking at how I think this will best depict the message or narrative that I’m connecting with and generating.“
Tokie Rome-Taylor
After the base is established, she decides on her printing process, sometimes opting for digital or cyanotype printing. She then layers the images with materials such as embroidery and translucent fabrics to create something new that crafts a cohesive and meaningful work.
Recently, PFF acquired two new works from Tokie Rome-Taylor’s series Rooted in Seeds of Memory. When discussing the inspiration behind this series, Tokie highlighted her research into medicinal plants commonly found in the American South. She explained that, historically, enslaved individuals carried their knowledge of plants for food and healing to America. They were able to adapt to their environments by substituting for local alternatives. These plants became more than sustenance; they were symbols of resilience and continuity that were passed down from generation to generation. Beyond the representation of plants, Tokie explained that, like seeds, she is exploring the cross-pollination of ideas, images, and materials. And, like seeds, her work connects individuals to their roots even in the face of displacement.
Children are also central to Tokie’s work. Later in the interview, we discussed how in her role as an educator, she works with many young students who do not see themselves in spaces that house what a culture values. She highlighted the fact that she noticed the stark absence of African American children in museums, galleries, and art institutions. She further says that she sees the impact of the lack of representation on their self-worth. “For me, I want the students that I teach to be able to see themselves and connect to what I’m talking about.” By spotlighting children in her artwork, she seeks to provide young viewers with images that resonate and affirm their identities.
Tokie’s pieces link past and present, individual and collective, personal and universal ideas that call to celebrate identity, resilience, and the importance of histories. You can see more of Tokie Rome-Taylor’s work on her website https://www.tokietaylorstudio.com/ and view her work on our website, https://pffcollection.com/artists/tokie-rome-taylor/.
This post was written by Hannah Sirlin, our Collections Registrar.