mieyoshi ragernoir
Detroit, MI
Mieyoshi Ragernoir is a Harlem-born painter and mixed-media installation artist. In 2022, Mieyoshi Ragernoir received her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art, building upon her BFA in Painting earned from Pratt Institute in 2019. Mieyoshi creates celebratory paintings archiving the connections of people, heritage, and joy; predominantly portraits highlighting the radiance of Black femininity. Beyond capturing the vibrant essence of Black femininity, Ragernoir's work serves to illuminate her visual commentary and social lens on Black American history and how it presents itself in contemporary society. The passionate fuel moving her hands to vividly portray culture and Black femininity are due to the lack of diversity and limited representation of artists who authentically reflect the communities she inhabits. In an art industry that is predominantly male-dominated and culturally inaccessible, there remains a small presence of Black American women and femme-identifying artists within the mainstream art world and institutions. Ragernoir strives to challenge this narrative and bring visibility to underrepresented artists like herself through her practice. As a Harlem native who grew up in the West Bronx, the vibrant styles, languages, and essence of both communities heavily influence and shape Ragernoir’s artwork.