About Kafia
At an early age, Kafia’s parents instilled in her an appreciation for the arts, using the
stage and films to instruct her in social justice. “I remember how excited I was as a kid when my mother took me to see Kenny Leon in Bloodknot to get a better understanding of the impact of apartheid in South Africa. Then there were the nights at home when my father sat us down to watch movies like Battle of Algiers and Dry White Season. It was important to my parents that we become sensitized to the experiences of oppressed people.”
Her writing and artwork compliment each other, with Kafia alternating between writing and painting scenes from her plays. Several of her paintings are based on her play Pickin’ Up Strays, featured in staged readings at the DC Black Theatre Festival and Theater Alliance’s Hothouse on H. Additional paintings have been exhibited at City of Ink's group exhibition at RAW Space Gallery in Atlanta, Atlanta Speech School, Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville, MD and RAW Artists DC's inaugural event. As her writing delves into the experiences of people outside of the United States, she expects to incorporate those cultures into her paintings, as well.
Kafia’s creative works are influenced by her family history, particularly their experiences in the Great Migration, in addition to her work as a cultural analyst in Iraq to work on tribal issues and political reconciliation. Kafia uses bold colors as a form of escape from conservative environments and a reflection of the richness of her native Atlanta. As both a writer and an artist, Kafia is interested in redemption, the resilience of family, and the role of tradition in the modern world. Her work conveys people's connection to one another and the idea that the good and evil we do to others also has an impact on us.
Kafia earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy, Magna Cuma Laude from Spelman College and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) in International Relations from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. She resides in the Washington, DC metro area.
Copyright 2011 Kafia Haile.
stage and films to instruct her in social justice. “I remember how excited I was as a kid when my mother took me to see Kenny Leon in Bloodknot to get a better understanding of the impact of apartheid in South Africa. Then there were the nights at home when my father sat us down to watch movies like Battle of Algiers and Dry White Season. It was important to my parents that we become sensitized to the experiences of oppressed people.”
Her writing and artwork compliment each other, with Kafia alternating between writing and painting scenes from her plays. Several of her paintings are based on her play Pickin’ Up Strays, featured in staged readings at the DC Black Theatre Festival and Theater Alliance’s Hothouse on H. Additional paintings have been exhibited at City of Ink's group exhibition at RAW Space Gallery in Atlanta, Atlanta Speech School, Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville, MD and RAW Artists DC's inaugural event. As her writing delves into the experiences of people outside of the United States, she expects to incorporate those cultures into her paintings, as well.
Kafia’s creative works are influenced by her family history, particularly their experiences in the Great Migration, in addition to her work as a cultural analyst in Iraq to work on tribal issues and political reconciliation. Kafia uses bold colors as a form of escape from conservative environments and a reflection of the richness of her native Atlanta. As both a writer and an artist, Kafia is interested in redemption, the resilience of family, and the role of tradition in the modern world. Her work conveys people's connection to one another and the idea that the good and evil we do to others also has an impact on us.
Kafia earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy, Magna Cuma Laude from Spelman College and a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) in International Relations from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. She resides in the Washington, DC metro area.
Copyright 2011 Kafia Haile.
