“Dream State”
Location: KGNU HQ 1720 14th Street Boulder, CO 80302
2023 Fall Mural Series
Photos by Peter Kowalchuk, Tyler Dittlo, and Dona Laurita
Jahna Rae uses a kaleidoscope of colors in her mural “Dream State.” A regal Black person takes center stage. The artist’s use of shadows and abstracted features prevents the viewer from determining the figure's identity, allowing Black Coloradoans to imagine themselves on the wall.
Flora wraps wrap around the figure, representing the natural world and our connection to it. A large yellow circle flanks the composition like the rising sun or a halo around the figure’s head. Colorful abstract designs also surround the figure, forming a necklace and swirling around the figure’s shoulders like a shawl. A single eye stares out from their forehead.
Jahna sought to portray the impact of Black culture in Colorado in her signature abstract style. She sought to break stereotypes about the type of people who live in our state. The artist invites the viewer to connect with and decipher the elements and symbols in her work based on their personal experiences.
The artist seeks to bring people together by revealing our interconnected nature and helping people understand themselves in relation to others. Jahna takes inspiration from poetry, music, spirituality, and the stories of her community.