2026 Solo Exhibitions
This exclusive page showcases Garden of the Nine Muses, Afrocentric Keyy’s 2026 solo exhibition. This two-day solo exhibition by Brooklyn artist Afrocentric Keyy (Kiarra Elliott) — a reimagining of classical mythology through a diasporic lens. Each painting in the series resurrects one of the nine Greek Muses not as a distant ideal, but as a living, breathing Black woman. Rooted in memory, lineage, and divine femininity, the work asks a question mythology never did: What if she had always looked like us?
Painted in oil on reclaimed wood, each piece carries more than color. The wood grain beneath the surface — with its knots, its rings, its history of growth — mirrors the grain of human DNA. Every brushstroke is an act of ancestral memory.Over two powerful days, guests experienced an immersive journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation through her signature Afro-Realism. Blending bold visuals and layered storytelling, the show explored pivotal moments of clarity and personal evolution—inviting viewers to reflect, release, and realign.
The Exhibition
They left our faces out of the garden. We came back to plant our own.
Garden of the Nine Muses is a two-day solo exhibition by Brooklyn artist Afrocentric Keyy (Kiarra Elliott) — a reimagining of classical mythology through a diasporic lens. Each painting in the series resurrects one of the nine Greek Muses not as a distant ideal, but as a living, breathing Black woman. Rooted in memory, lineage, and divine femininity, the work asks a question mythology never did: What if she had always looked like us?
Painted in oil on reclaimed wood, each piece carries more than color. The wood grain beneath the surface — with its knots, its rings, its history of growth — mirrors the grain of human DNA. Every brushstroke is an act of ancestral memory.
"I paint on what has already lived. The wood remembers. The women I paint remember. And when you stand in front of them, you will too."
— Afrocentric Keyy, Artist Statement
This garden is ancestral. This archive is living. Nine figures. Nine archetypes. One reckoning with what we have always known — oil on reclaimed wood, spanning African, Caribbean, and Black American diasporic memory.
Friday, July 17, 2026 · 7 – 10:30 PM ET
Saturday, July 18, 2026 · 12 – 8 PM ET
Seven House Gallery
35 Meadow St, Brooklyn, NY
The Experience
You walk in. The wood breathes beneath the oil. Each face holds something the Greeks never told you — a secret, a lineage, a name that was always yours. You don't look at these paintings. You recognize them.
This exhibition was made for you —
For everyone who ever looked for their face in a myth and didn't find it.
For the daughters of the diaspora, and the sons who know their story too.
For collectors who want work that carries cultural weight, not just aesthetic appeal.
For anyone who believes Black art is not a genre — it's a canon.
For the curious, the reverent, the ones who feel things deeply in front of a painting.
For Brooklyn. For the culture. For the Muses.
Two Days. Two Distinct Experiences. Both worth showing up for.
Friday, July 17
The Muse Unveiling
7:00 PM – 10:30 PM ET
"Come ready to witness, connect, and celebrate."
Experience the official unveiling of The Garden of the 9 Muses during an immersive opening night centered around art, storytelling, music, and intentional connection. Guests will be among the first to step into the world of the muses and explore the layered symbolism, beauty, and lineage woven throughout the collection.
◆General doors open at 7 PM
◆Full exhibition — all 9 Muses revealed
◆Live DJ + curated soundscape
◆Artist Talk at 8:30 - 9:00 PM - exploring inspiration, symbolism, and process behind the collection
◆Complimentary drink included + additional beverages available throughout the night
An evening designed to spark conversation, reflection, and connection while celebrating creativity, culture, and the power of storytelling through art.
Saturday, July 18
Muse Immersion
12:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
"Move slower. Look deeper. Stay present."
Step into a more intimate side of The Garden of the 9 Muses during Saturday’s immersive experience. Designed for deeper reflection and intentional engagement, this day invites guests to move through the exhibition at a slower pace while exploring the layered symbolism, storytelling, and materiality behind the work.
◆Guided exhibition walkthrough
◆Deep exploration of symbolism & material
◆"Muse Within" interactive reflection
◆Open dialogue + intentional connection
◆Intimate, unhurried environment
◆3 – 5 PM: Muse Energy Painting Session (ticketed )
Guests will also have access to the evolving weekend installations and Saturday-exclusive creative activations “ Paint Your Muse” painting session
where guests create their own muse-inspired piece connected to lineage, memory, and personal storytelling. All materials included + artwork goes home with you. Limited spots available.
Videographer: OneOfaRose