At Home with Gabby Awuma
I’m so so excited to introduce you to my friend Gabby Awuma, one of the most fashionable people I know that works in the depths of DC’s creative community. By day, find her working (from home) for the National Gallery of Art, and at night exploring the city or modeling for some of your favorite local brands. Today we’re venturing into her beautifully curated small apartment where she blurs the lines between home and museum. Get to know her, her art background, her covid pleasures, and more!
Who are you, what do you do, and why?
I'm Gabby Awuma, and I work in development at a major art museum. I graduated from a historically women's college where I majored in Studio Art with a concentration in painting. I think everyone should have access to the arts and be an art lover. Originally, I thought I would be working towards that goal as a professor, but an internship at The Phillips Collection changed my career path. Museums are such huge bodies of knowledge and have the potential to change lives. Many are realizing that they haven't been effective in doing that, so I'm really excited and hopeful about the current movements to make museums more equitable, inclusive, and accessible places for all people. Outside of that, I've started modeling, which has been a fun and unexpected development. Tiny me who spent way too many hours watching America's Next Top Model would be proud.
What is your favorite thing about home?
All the objects in my home are in conversation with each other. I move things around until I feel like the object has found its home or buddy. The dialogues that come out of the placement of the objects are so fascinating. I like shuffling around my apartment to find new places to sit and look at everything because the objects are speaking to me as well. It's similar to seeing a work in a museum or creating your own. You really have to be still and sit with it for a while before it starts to make sense. I guess my favorite thing about home is that I have a place where I can be quiet and just look.
How have you adapted to small space living in the city? Do you have any tips for making the most of it?
I think I spent my entire life preparing for this or at least a decent portion of it. I have very distinct memories of playing dolls when I was younger where I would construct an apartment under my desk for my doll. I had a dollhouse I could have used, but I was dead set on building her an apartment. As a child, I knew my dollhouse wasn't right for my doll, so I made my own. That's how you make the most of your small space. You create an environment that makes the most sense for you. I still get self conscious about my apartment, but I know it's an honest reflection of me and where I'm at. As I grow and change, it will do the same.
How has life changed, or not changed, during Covid? Are there things you're enjoying more of these days?
It's been challenging adjusting to this new way of being. I've been working from home since the shelter in place orders went into effect. I'm still struggling to accept that my level of output is and will be different. I feel like I should be doing more. It's hard letting go of that need to be productive at all times. I'm learning to be kinder to myself and to slow down. I am enjoying the alone time. I've been journaling a lot. I'm also finding new ways to show up for my friends and loved ones. That's been bringing a lot of joy. That and romance novels. I've read over fifty since March, and I now have a spreadsheet to keep track of my progress.
You are involved with a lot of different DC brands as a model. How did you get into that and what do you like about the creative community here?
I met photographers Beverly Price and Jefry Wright a few years ago at a Phillips After 5, and we did shoot at the beginning of 2018. I was very nervous going into it. I had participated in shoots for my college's admissions office but nothing like what we did. I was surprised by how everything turned out, and things have taken off since then. I've modeled for the National Museum of Women in the Arts' collaboration with District of Clothing, underbares, STAYkini, and RINGLET's campaign for Colada Shop. It's been a lot of fun working with the different brands and founders. Everyone is so positive and supportive. It's something I've seen throughout our creative community. We want to see each other succeed, and I'm happy to play a part in that.
