Today we’d like to introduce you to Brit Sigh.
Hi Brit, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Brit Sigh, a multidisciplinary artist based in Minneapolis, MN, where I work out of my studio in the historic California Building in the Northeast Arts District.
My work blends modern realities with the fantastical, using magical realism to explore the Black experience. It’s deeply rooted in storytelling, resilience, and vulnerability—serving as both a form of self-healing and a catalyst for meaningful dialogue. Through expressive body language, vibrant colors, and surreal elements, I aim to reimagine representation and celebrate Black youth, challenging conventions and fostering inclusiveness.
Growing up in the 1990s as a Black kid, I rarely saw people who looked like me in fantasy or sci-fi genres. That absence pushed me to imagine new possibilities, and I’ve held onto that imagination ever since. It inspired me to create two recurring characters: Marcus and Khyah, Black children with butterfly wings who live in a world shaped by Afrofuturism and fantasy. Through them, I tell stories that reflect the beauty, strength, and joy of Black youth.
I hope to continue creating space for these stories—and in doing so, help normalize positive and empowering portrayals of Black children in mainstream contemporary art.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I grew up loving art and drawing—my dream for years was to become a comic book artist. But by the time I reached college, I let that dream die. I couldn’t draw fast like the pros I admired, and I didn’t believe there was real money to be made as an artist.
So, I tried to take the “safe” route and went into the medical field. After two years of schooling, I realized my heart just wasn’t in it. I switched to psychology, which interested me more, and after graduating, I spent years working in retail, mental health, and staffing. But none of it felt fulfilling—I had this creative energy that wasn’t being tapped into.
Eventually, I decided to take a chance on myself. I left a secure, high-paying corporate job to pursue my art journey full-time. I’ve never looked back. Today, I work as a graphic designer and illustrator for a sports apparel company during the day, and I paint in the evenings and on weekends. It’s a grind, but it finally feels aligned with who I really am.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist who blends magical realism, Afrofuturism, and fantasy to explore themes of identity, vulnerability, and Black joy. My work often centers around two recurring characters I created—Marcus and Khyah, Black children with butterfly wings who live in surreal, vibrant worlds. They represent imagination, resilience, and the kind of boundless power and personality I wish I’d seen growing up.
Right now, I’m working on a full collection of paintings that tell their stories. My goal is to get these pieces into as many galleries as possible—I’d love to have a solo exhibition. But I also see Marcus and Khyah as bigger than just the gallery space. I envision them as murals in cities around the world, on merchandise and streetwear collabs, in comics, and maybe even in TV or film. The possibilities are endless—especially if we let ourselves dream the way kids do.
What I’m most proud of is how people connect emotionally with my work—especially those who finally feel seen in it. What sets me apart is my focus on imaginative storytelling rooted in real emotional truths. I’m creating space for joy, for vulnerability, and for representation where it’s long been missing.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Creating makes me happy. There’s something powerful about taking an idea from my imagination and bringing it to life—especially when that idea reflects joy, strength, and beauty in Black children. Knowing that my work can spark a sense of wonder or make someone feel seen is deeply fulfilling.
I’m happiest when I’m painting, when the music’s on, and I’m lost in the process. But I’m also happy when someone connects with my art—when a kid sees Marcus or Khyah and says, “That looks like me,” or when an adult says, “I wish I had this growing up.” That’s when I know I’m doing something meaningful.
And honestly, dreaming big makes me happy. Imagining murals, comics, fashion collabs—thinking about all the places Marcus and Khyah could go—that kind of limitless thinking fuels me and reminds me of why I started creating in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.britsigh.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brit.sigh
