Hadiya Williams Ancestor Index: Explorations in AI Art and Ancestry

Hadiya Williams is an American ceramic artist who creates bold, geometric pieces that reflect her love of African art. Her work often explores themes of identity, history, and migration. In her recent project, she used AI art to create a series of portraits of Black women who were part of the Great Migration. The portraits are a mix of her signature geometric shapes and vibrant colors, and they offer a unique perspective on this important moment in American history.

Williams is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied ceramics and African art. She has exhibited her work at galleries and museums across the country, and she has received numerous awards for her art. She is a member of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, and she is a frequent lecturer and workshop leader.

Williams’ work is inspired by her own experiences as a Black woman in America. She is interested in exploring the ways in which Black people have been shaped by their history and culture, and she uses her art to create a space for dialogue about these issues. Her work is also a celebration of Black beauty and resilience.

Williams’ work is important because it offers a new way of seeing Black women. Her portraits are not simply representations of individual people, but they are also symbols of the strength, resilience, and beauty of Black women as a whole. Her work is a reminder that Black women have always been a part of American history, and that they have made significant contributions to this country.

Williams’ work is also important because it challenges the traditional boundaries of art. By using AI art, she is able to create images that are both realistic and abstract. Her work is a reminder that art is not limited to traditional media, and that it can be used to explore new ideas and possibilities.

“Clearly, I have a lot to say about my journey into using AI. I know it’s a touchy area and a lot is unknown but what I know for sure is that it has opened me up a lot and has me thinking of other ways to create my work.

What I will say is that this has been another spiritual journey for me. It very much reminds me of my heavy genealogy research days and following that, my entry into clay. It’s a visual delineation of my spiritual work, my creative work, and my family research.

I was able to connect the use of this tech tool to my ongoing exploration of The Great Migration as well as my own lineage. I am combining images of my artwork with the AI images I generate to get some remixed delight. It’s indeed a cypher.”