Ashlee Breyan

About the Artist

Ashlee, a native of suburban Cleveland, Ohio, discovered her creative spark early, inspired by a rich tapestry of musical genres, American history, and Black culture. These influences have profoundly shaped her artistic vision, grounding her work in themes of identity, heritage, and storytelling.

Her artistic journey began at just thirteen, exploring a variety of mediums before finding her voice in oil painting, drawing, and graphic design. Through advanced studies and years of practice, Ashlee honed her craft, ultimately concentrating in Afro-Surrealism.

Deeply immersed in the arts community, Ashlee’s work centers on the complexities of the Black experience, using her art to foster connection and healing. Her mission is to create evocative pieces that inspire reflection and offer a sense of collective therapeutic release, inviting viewers to engage with her murals and paintings on a deeply personal level.

Artist's Connection to the Mission

As a visual artist rooted in Afro-Surrealism and Afrofuturism, my work navigates the layered realities of the Black experience. I explore the unconscious mind as a landscape where history, culture, and futuristic possibility meet. Through dream like forms, vibrant palettes, and expressive body language, I challenge conventional narratives and reimagine Black identity beyond limitations.

My practice bridges the surreal and the tangible presence, creating visual dialogues that reflect both ancestral memory and reimagine futures. I examine complex themes including mental health, social justice, and healing, situating these within a broader continuum of Black cultural resilience and innovation.

Each piece offers an exploration of the psychological and spiritual depths of Black life and an invitation for viewers to engage with the multiplicity of our stories. Through this work, I seek to honor the richness of our past, confront the urgencies of our present, and imagine black liberation for our future.