The first time I read “Black Girls, Silence, and Other Things Made of Gold” by Mikey Cody Apollo I had just graduated college and was on a plane to Portland. I had bought the book at the beginning of my last semester of school but hadn’t had the time or energy to crack it open until that moment. As I was being transported to the West Coast, I was simultaneously transported into the life of Mikey as an emotional, feminist, romantic, depressed, powerful, and proud black woman. Though my identities as a mixed, racially ambiguous, chicana woman differ from hers, my experiences mirror so many of the vulnerabilities she shares in her writing. I felt simultaneously seen while reading her words and understanding of struggles outside of my own.
Language art and visual art go hand in hand yet are so often separated. language / visual showcases a collection of Mikey’s language art paired with a visual art response from Araceli. through pairing poetry with visual works I hope to place language art and “fine art” on the same level. More importantly, I hope the coupling of these two unique individuals will open viewers’ eyes to the similarities between our struggles as well as teach them about struggles their privilege guards them from.
poster by araceli zuniga
Araceli Zuniga (aka Sleepless Transgressor) is an illustrator based in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin whose distinct work is defined by vibrant colors and fluid figures.
Her relationship with her own mental health and how she manages its fluctuation are key themes in her personal work. The pink woman, a recurring focal image, represents the way she herself wants to feel — vibrant, powerful, star-like, happy. The woman also has a realistic body type and Latinx features — qualities Araceli strives to increase representation of. Other features, like yellow coffee stained teeth and fine hair, stem from her insecurities. It’s this genuine, vulnerable juxtaposition of confidence and self doubt that draws viewers in and creates lasting connections with them.
Her ultimate goal is to increase Latinx representation in the arts, to destigmatize mental illness, to support the growth of underrepresented artists, and to one-day open an inclusive community art space.
@sleeplesstransgressor / sleeplesstransgressor.com
Mikey Cody Apollo is a writer, educator, spoken word artist & Black feminist kill joy from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is the author of the self-published collection of poetry, “Black Girls, Silence, and Other Things Made of Gold,” which has been used for book clubs, high school classrooms, and universities. Mikey has represented the city of Milwaukee at national and international poetry slams, such as Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam and the Brave New Voices Youth Competition. Additionally, she has performed at numerous open mics and venues across the country.
Mikey’s work has been featured in many publications, including Yes Poetry, Blavity, Hooligan Magazine, Wusgood.Black, Copywrite Magazine, and once, even a Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s event brochure! She is a recent graduate of University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee with a B.S in Community Engagement & Education. Her focus was in Community-Based Organizations and Leadership Policy.