Artist Statement

Art is the equivalent of therapy for me. I began creating art due to my experience with my start and it kept me grounded and gave me a creative outlet. Later in my college career, photography became a part of my therapy. It was the beginning of me working in alternative processes, film, and digital photography. It was a new world but it was the beginning of me producing mental health-inspired artwork.

I like creating art to explore what comes out, especially in photography. In graphic design, I would like for everything to be perfect, however, in photography, I am more experimental and like to channel certain moods or emotions. Overall, I like to see what I can create with these random ideas in my head, and what the audience sees is up to them.

Currently, I am inspired by surrealist photographers like Man Ray, Tsoku Maela, Gabriel Isak, and Antonio Mora. The idea of mixing the dreamlike world with emotions is amazing. It creates beautiful images. It is a new inspiration how it has inspired me lately in my college career.

 I see art in two different ways. One, I see art as exploratory, the artist can create one thing, but the viewer may see another. One piece of work can have multiple meanings to whoever is the viewer. Secondly, art is my haven, so I create based on what or how I am feeling.

Naila Latham is a creative higher education professional from Ellenwood, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art with a concentration in Photography and Integrated Media from Ohio University. She also earned a Master of Art Education from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Latham has experience across student conduct, housing, family engagement, and orientation. She is passionate about helping students navigate their college experience, overcome challenges, and ultimately reach the finish line of earning their degree.

As the Coordinator of Student Conduct at Georgia State University, Latham believes that student conduct is not meant to be punitive but educational. She views the conduct process as an opportunity for students to learn from their experiences, take accountability for their actions, and develop the skills needed to thrive beyond the figurative gates of college. To Latham, higher education is about more than preparing students for a career. It is about helping students discover who they are, strengthen their character, and become thoughtful, engaged members of society.

Grounded in her background in the arts, Latham's creative practice explores experimental concepts and interdisciplinary mediums, often examining themes of mental health through graphic design and film photography. She has presented her work and collaborated in academic settings, demonstrating her commitment to bridging art and education in ways that inspire dialogue, creativity, and learning.

Whether supporting students through higher education or creating meaningful works of art, Latham is committed to making a lasting impact. She believes that education and creativity have the power to transform lives, foster personal growth, and strengthen communities.