About
Azareah York is an Atlanta-based interpretive portrait artist and visual storyteller whose work explores presence, emotion, and inner life.
Grounded in strong observation and likeness, Azareah’s portraits move beyond surface representation to incorporate symbolism, emotional realism, and surreal elements. Each work begins with live presence — conversation, gesture, and reference photography — and unfolds into a thoughtful studio process.
The focus is not perfection, but honesty.
Artist statement
Portraiture, for me, is an act of witnessing.
I am interested in how people hold themselves, how emotion lives in the body, and how identity shifts across time and experience. My work allows space for complexity — moments of intensity, tenderness, grief, or transformation — while maintaining a strong sense of recognition.
These portraits are created slowly, with care using techniques that emphasize repetition, attention, and presence..
Exhibitions & Affiliations
Azareah’s work has been shown in both physical and online exhibitions, including the Black Girl Art Show (2023) and juried online exhibitions with Gallerium, where her work received top public recognition in Portraits and third-place recognition in Emotions.
Her work has also been selected for juried exhibition with the Portrait Society of Atlanta (2025 Juried Exhibition).
Select original works are currently available for purchase through The Art of Touch in Atlanta.
She works with individuals, galleries, and institutions through commissioned portraiture, exhibitions, and collaborative projects..