VAPA | Art

Daija Essien, MFA is the recently appointed Visiting Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Louisiana Monroe.

Her work dissects the intricacies of authenticity within identity, exploring the balance between belonging and visibility. It emphasizes the tension between our self-perceptions and how others perceive us. By examining aspects such as family heritage, cultural influences, and environmental factors, her work invites viewers to move beyond surface-level impressions. She encourages the audience to see authenticity as the ability to thrive within complexity rather than simply adhering to a singular identity.

Graduating with a BFA from the University of Louisiana Monroe in 2023, she went on to earn her MFA from the Louisiana Tech University School of Design in 2026.

Her artwork has been showcased locally, regionally, and nationally at venues such as the LeGrange Art Museum, the Old Stone House of Brooklyn in New York, the Texarkana Regional Arts & Humanities Council, and the R.W. Norton Art Gallery. Additionally, her pieces have been displayed at universities such as the University of Mississippi and Arkansas State University.

Daija Essien has also participated in a residency with the North Louisiana Arts Interchange and has been involved in numerous public art murals across North Louisiana, where she has both led and contributed to collaborative efforts. Her work has garnered attention in various publications, including BayouLife Magazine. In her spare time, she enjoys screenprinting and working on public art murals.