Amani Lewis: Baltimore’s finest: Mr. GirlYouCrazy and Dev, 2021-2022
Born in Washington, D.C. in 1994, Amani Lewis is known for their distinctively elaborate portraits, which often depict individuals from the artist’s social and creative circles through manipulation of photographic imagery. After graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art, the artist now splits their time between Baltimore and Miami, where they live and work. For their first-ever mural work, Amani constructed a double portrait representing a creative couple from Baltimore—the musician GirlYouCrazy and the fashion stylist Devin—in a tender embrace. Addressing the need to reconsider prevailing narratives overshadowing the subjects’ hometown, Amani explains that “people often think Baltimore is dangerous and scary, but it’s filled with love and History. The culture is unstoppable.” Through a stylized portrayal of Black intimacy and creativity, this mural disarms stereotypical depictions and offers a glimpse into the fertile grounds of Baltimore’s artistic community.