Cover Art

ABOUT THE ART & THE ARTIST

The cover image, “Rebirth, Rebirth” by Mars Ali, not only captures the energy of eternal universal rebirth, the image is itself representative of generational rebirth. The woman in the picture was originally drawn in pencil by Mars’ dad, Lamar Rayfield, who passed away in a celestial event in 2017. The drawing was the cover image for the poetry volume, Crysalis: The Poetry of Motion by Tannur Shewrightz Ali, Mars’ mom. Mars created a contemporary expression of rebirth from the original drawing, especially for this issue of KIZA BlackLit.

Mars serves as KIZA’s ad hoc consultant about all things Gen Z, providing a youthful lens on our style, presentation and outreach. An avid illustrator, baker and home chef, Mars has explored the arts from an early age, also dabbling in writing, sewing, crocheting and making itsy bitsy scenes from paper. Prior to his two-year stint at Pratt Art Institute in upstate New York, Mars produced a Pride coloring book and commissioned reproductions of a mural that he painted on a wall at home.

Currently contemplating how to create outside of the matrix of capitalist commoditization, while also attracting and sharing abundance, Mars continues to spread joy among family and friends through art and chef-level international foods.