Eilen itzel mena
(b. 1994) is a multimedia artist based in the South Bronx, whose work is influenced on the cultural systems of the African Diaspora as a point of departure. She received her B.A. in Fine Arts with an emphasis on sculpture from the University of Southern California in 2017. Her current studio space is at a residency in London, UK.
The artist derives meaning and inspiration from the continual existence, global influence and significance of West African rhythms, cultural values and varied customs. Mena highlights culturally affirming African Diaspora frameworks such as art, music, dance, cuisine and religion in her work, in response to the contextual dissonance and rejection of blackness embedded in Western cultural and ideological frameworks.