Life & Work with Iyabo Shabazz of Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Iyabo Shabazz.

Hi Iyabo, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Iyabo Shabazz and I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I got started making art as a child, drawing stick figures, coloring, painting, dancing, singing and doing crafts. In a lot of ways not much has changed.

When I was young, I taught myself to draw and paint for fun. I loved art and always wanted to be an artist. I just didn’t think it was possible or wise to do so, like so many young people who wanted to make a living from making art, and whose families struggled with finances. So, I decided the best route for me was to to study math, science and engineering.

However, while in school, I had a change of heart and settled on studying art instead. I graduated from Clark Atlanta University and majored in Drawing and Painting with a concentration in Graphic Design and then went to Georgia State University, to become a Metalsmith by doing post baccalaureate studies in Decorative Art. I have been an artist ever since.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For many artists like myself, the road has not been without its obstacles. The biggest obstacle I faced was one related to self awareness and understanding. I have a unique way of creating and I feel most comfortable when flowing from one medium to another. This gives me endless options for how to approach doing my work.

In the beginning of my art career, it seemed most of my peers were more focused than I was. I felt really out of place. I would ask myself, “Why can’t I focus on one medium? “and “Why do I have to know the mechanics of creating as well as creating the object itself?” I initially thought I was a Multimedia Artist, in which the artist uses multiple mediums in one or more pieces of art to create their art.

Well, I discovered I was not a Multimedia Artist in that way. I was a bit different. I was interested in mastering multiple mediums including; drawing, painting, metalsmithing, storytelling, puppetry, dance, singing, instrument making, writing, textiles, fashion design, and yet and still science and environmentalism… I wasn’t necessarily combining mediums to create a piece of art, I was using multiple individual mediums to create individual pieces of art. It was a lot of learning but I discovered that I loved learning in this way as well.

I knew that I had to change my core beliefs, to dismantle what I internalized, and choose a new path. So, I replaced those limiting beliefs with a new understanding of myself. It was healing to let go of the outdated notion that one has to work with one relatable medium. I now embrace how my creative brain works. My unique approach allows me to look to new mediums or areas of inspiration with curiosity openness, and playfulness. Today, I call myself a Sensory Storyteller, at least for the time being…

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Drawing and nature are my anchors, I love to draw and I love the natural world. For me, my artworks are a type of craft that evolve from my drawings, experiments and expressions. I approach them through scientific, creative, experimental, emotional, reflections. I then use these reflections to weave stories with various mediums like drawing and textiles, into installations and performances. I am also exploring the world of textiles using natural dyes and music/sound to make figurative and abstract artworks.

Nature inspires all of this, for me, it is full of stories. So, most of my sensory stories are inspired by the natural world in some way with its dynamism, magic and wonder. These stories also illuminate how we can engage with nature more carefully, creatively, and gently. Visually, my artistic style is imaginative and surreal, it is a type of Afro-Surrealism which is culturally expansive, and rooted in African culture and art.

In addition to this, I am a dancer, a singer and I make/play instruments. I have studied various forms of dance from Africa and the African diaspora for most of my life. Then, I studied ballet, modern, folk and classical Chinese dance for about seven years. So, dance, music/sound have always been a part of my expression as an artist as well.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was pretty curious about science and art. I absolutely loved reading and playing outside in the dirt, creating something crafty with my hands or watching a really good movie. I grew up in Los Angeles. So, I have always been immersed in the diversity of culture and art here, from going to various festivals and events throughout the county of Los Angeles, to even visiting the very architecturally beautiful library in downtown Los Angeles of the past.
The library was probably one of my favorite places to go, with all of the books that could transport me to new and imaginative or uncharted places with a story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://iyaboshabazz.com

Image Credits
All images have been photographed and are the sole copyright of Iyabo Shabazz ©2025