“How Can You Even Think Right Now?” by Deja Anderson

“This stream of consciousness drawing contemplates the nature of thought, physical pain, and time itself. Through an organic flow of lines and shapes, the piece explores how these abstract concepts might intertwine. While working on this piece I listened to the audio book Magical Mind, Magical Body by Deepak Chopra, M.D. I inherited the audiobook on cassette tapes from my grandmother, this was one of the many things that allowed me to get to know her deeply even after her passing from cancer in 2020. As veteran with many health conditions I have struggled to adjust to my body’s new normal, so during my time of grief and new self discovery this book has comforted me and encouraged me to continue to did deep and use my artistic practice to master my mind and body.” -Deja Anderson

Déjané Anderson (b. 1992) is a visual artist based in Memphis, Tennessee, specializing in mixed-media painting and clay. A disabled Navy veteran, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in English at the University of Memphis. As a mixed-race Afro-Indigenous artist with Choctaw and Chickasaw roots, raised by a pastor, Anderson’s work delves into themes of identity, emotional awareness, resilience, spirituality, and play.

Often incorporating her own likeness into her pieces, Anderson invites viewers into vibrant, imaginative realms filled with fantastical creatures and surreal landscapes. Her work sometimes seeks to alter the environment or transform how viewers interact with a space. Blending the absurd with deep personal discovery, she creates opportunities for self-reflection and connection.

Artist Statement

Through her art, Déjané Anderson merges personal mythology and symbolism to explore the complexities of emotion, resilience, and identity. She blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality, crafting narratives that encourage introspection and discovery. While deeply personal, her work resonates on a universal level, examining how identity evolves through both internal and external challenges.

Drawing from her experiences as a minority in Southern America, a Navy veteran, and an individual living with multiple disabilities, Anderson’s art reflects the resilience of the human spirit, particularly in the face of adversity. Though her Afro-Indigenous heritage profoundly influences her perspective, her work centers on broader themes of identity, healing, and transformation. She invites viewers to engage with these themes and reflect on their own lives. At times, her art challenges traditional spatial interactions, encouraging new ways of experiencing an environment. Through these elements, she fosters moments of self-reflection and connection.