Tintawi Charaka Kaigziabiher

Tintawi Kaigziabiher (B.1978) is an interdisciplinary artist, mother, and writer originally from New Jersey and the NYC Metro Area. Coming from a religiously, ethnically, and culturally diverse family and community she was exposed to Black artists, scholars, and activists at a young age. She draws much of her inspiration from her grandparents who were self-taught artisans, masons, ditch-diggers, and builders. For the last 11 years, she has called the high desert of northern New Mexico her home along with her husband and their 5 children. As a multicultural woman of African Descent, Tintawi strives to give a voice to the African experience in the diaspora through her storytelling, advocacy, writing, and art. In her work, she bridges the skills of her ancestors with contemporary inspiration. She creates using a variety of mediums including clay, beading, crochet, and carving to produce works that tell the stories of the past and future. She is particularly drawn to organic materials and transforms these natural ingredients into ceremonial vessels, instruments, and sacred talismans. In the community Tintawi serves as an Olorisa of Yemoja(Priest in the Lukumi tradition), Tintawi is the Executive Director for the non-profit ILE IFE, is the founder of the Our Earth Community Birth and Postpartum Attendant doula training program, and sits on the board of the nonprofit, the Ceci Tchakounte Tadfor Foundation. Recently, her work featured a series of ceremonial rattles and seven life-size female healers at the Roswell Museum. In the past, she has shown at Vital Spaces, Form and Concept Gallery, and El Museo Cultural. Tintawi is a published author of three books. Her most recent publication is “The Bead Griot” a book highlighting her journey to beadwork. Tintawi has a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on Creative Writing and African Studies and is a current doctoral student at Prescott College.

Tintawi Kaigziabiher, CD (CBI), CLC
she|her
Olorisa
artist-author-visionary