Kemi Layeni is a visual artist, filmmaker, actress, and stand up comedian based in Hampton, Virginia. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia where she studied English Literature, Studio Art, and African & African American Studies. Kemi's work focuses on the experiences and histories of black peoples and people of the African diaspora. She is interested in exploring the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and history in her art through a variety of mediums including photography, film, and installation. Kemi aims to unflinchingly present her work in a way that complicates, disturbs, and reveals previously held notions about her subjects. She was a TED Resident and gave a TED Talk about her art in December of 2018 at TED Headquarters in New York City. In addition she is also creating and starring in two dramedy web series: Quicksand and Seeds.