Avionna Green
Avionna Green (She/Her) is a multidisciplinary artist and scholar based in Newark, New Jersey. She has been creating art since the age of 11, viewing it as a vital form of self-expression rather than a purely monetary pursuit. Avionna’s work spans abstract and representational art, including landscapes, animals, geishas, and commissioned portraits. Her paintings have been featured in online exhibitions such as True Beauty 2024 and Gardenia 2024, organized by Exhibizone and Biafarin, and she continues to expand her artistic presence through upcoming exhibitions and an online gallery. What drives her is the joy of positively impacting others through her work, whether by bringing a smile to someone’s face or sparking reflection through her creations. In addition to her studio practice, she serves as an art consultant for the Robert Lyn Nelson Art Collections, advising clients on acquisitions and curation. Avionna has been pursuing higher education since 2018, earning her first BA from Kean University. She is completing a Master of Arts in East Asian Languages and Cultures at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, with a concentration in Japanese Cultural Studies, and will graduate in May. In September, she will begin her second BA at Montclair State University, focusing on Asian Languages and Cultures, alongside interdisciplinary studies and language minors in Spanish and Korean. Her academic research explores cultural narratives, societal responses to disaster, and the intersections of art, history, and entertainment in Japan, South Korea, and the United States. She has also gained practical experience in archival research, special collections, and exhibition curation, including organizing pop-up exhibitions for Black History Month and Women’s History Month at Kean University. Passionate about bridging cultures through art and scholarship, Avionna seeks opportunities in museum and curatorial roles, including Museum Assistant, Curatorial Assistant, or related positions. She is acutely aware of the challenges in the contemporary art world, including oversaturation and the rise of AI-generated art on social media, yet she leverages these platforms to reach broader audiences. By diversifying her pursuits and keeping her hands in multiple “baskets,” she continues to fund her artistry without compromising her integrity or creativity. With a combination of analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and artistic vision, Avionna strives to contribute meaningfully to cultural institutions while continuing to inspire and connect with communities through her art.
• Kean University - BA, Global Studies
• Rutgers University - MA, East Asian Languages and Cultures
• Montclair State University - BA, Asian Languages and Cultures
• Fall 2021 Dean's List
• SP21 CLA Dean's List
• Fall 2020 Dean's Honor List Recipient
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the saying "a watched pot never boils" because I feel as though micro-managing myself, my social media accounts, and exhibitions does not do anything positive for me. It only increases the level of anxiety, nervousness, and overthinking. Letting the cards fall where they will lie is the best approach for me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to always have my hands in different baskets - basically, not to put all my eggs in one basket. If I had stopped where I wanted to when I was in high school and tried to pursue painting as a full-time thing, I definitely wouldn't be where I am today. Because I have different interests, it allows me to still fund my artistry but not necessarily have to compromise and give up either or. I can pursue multiple paths without sacrificing one for the other.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice would honestly be to not allow other people to put a price tag on your value and on your talents. When you do that, you tend to stress yourself out and want to be ahead of trends, ahead of the curve, but sometimes life doesn't really work out that way. We can't repeatedly have successful moments where we can sell paintings back-to-back-to-back or have very dedicated and loyal buyers. A lot of times, you're painting things and putting them on social media or showing them to people closest to you, and sometimes those paintings could be sitting in your studio, in your room, in your apartment for months to maybe even years before someone will come around and buy it from you. So I would just say not to put a monetary price tag on your talents and your value.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would say the biggest challenge in my field is oversaturation. There are a lot more artists coming out that use AI or other means to create their artistry. Especially when you're on social media, trends are what supersede genuine interest. I could paint something that is maybe a callback to similarities in another artist before my time, but because another artist created something that is trending, my artistry could be overlooked. In terms of opportunities, again with social media, I have access to more people than I would if I didn't use social media. So it is definitely a double-edged sword. I would say challenges and opportunities both stem from social media.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I've always wanted to express myself that's what I prioritize. I don't necessarily see being an artist as a monetary choice or option. Being an artist is just a way for me to express myself. I also think that being able to put a smile on other people's faces because of what I paint or draw really just makes me happy. So I think it's both the fact that this is a way to express myself, and also because it allows me to positively affect other people.