I am Adeline Poufong, an interdisciplinary artist born and raised in Ireland. My journey so far is deeply rooted in self-discovery and empowerment. I have embraced my identity as a queer woman of color who has been living in the Unseeded Territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples (also known as Vancouver) for the past five years. My mixed-race heritage as the child of an Irish mother and a Cameroonian father has shaped my creative journey and provided a solid foundation for my exploration of cultural identity.
Although I have been making art my whole life, my formal artistic education began at Limerick School of Art and Design where I graduated in 2010 with a degree in ceramics and in 2018 I embarked on a new chapter by entering the film industry as a sculptor, painter, and prop maker.
ABout me
Today, my creative expression is unlimited and I continue to explore various various mediums such as paint, sculpture, textiles, video, writing, poetry and sculpture. I also specialize in professional hair braiding services where I offer a diverse range of styles and create empowering experiences that help celebrate individuals unique styles.
Growing up in one of the few "colored” families in my town, I navigated the challenges of being different while embracing a "color-blind" mentality of the time. I internalized my mixed-race identity, failing to address its complexities. Subsequently, my love for creativity became my refuge, allowing me to process the world's complexities through art. This internalizing continued throughout my adulthood and in 2020, amidst the pandemic-induced hiatus and the rise of the BLack Lives Matter campaign, my artistic spirit was rekindled and I began to attempt to find my voice.
Today, my creative expression is unlimited and I continue to explore various various mediums such as paint, sculpture, textiles, video, writing, poetry and sculpture. I also specialize in professional hair braiding services where I offer a diverse range of styles and create empowering eA turning point in my journey was reading Bell Hooks' "Ain't I a Woman," which opened my eyes to the intersection of racism and sexism. It marked the beginning of my exploration into social justice, intersectionality, and personal growth and the struggles and triumphs that often come from being a black woman. I began to actively engage more with the black community and rescue my identity as part of the black diaspora. As well as being introduced to some wonderful humans, this embracing of my identity led to a significant transformation. I started openly discussing issues of race, identity, and mixed-race experiences through art, writing, and personal narratives. My journey has since evolved into a mission to empower others to embrace their identities and express themselves authentically.
My belief in the transformative power of the arts and creativity has led me to pursuing education and training to become a certified expressive arts therapist. In parallel, I will continue to nurture my own artistic growth and learning.
