Monek Harris

Necklace made of sterling silver, mother of pearl, amazonite, red coral, turquoise, pearls

Approx. 60"

Monek L. Harris
Born in Peoria, Illinois in 1966, Monek L. Harris has always been led by a creative spirit. From an early age, she immersed herself in artistic exploration-hairstyling, painting, leatherwork, and woodworking-searching for ways to bring imagination into form.

Her journey into jewelry began over twenty years ago, sparked by a fascination with semi-precious stones. What started as simple beading soon became a global pursuit, taking her to gem shows and markets in China, Thailand, India, Senegal, and South Africa. Each experience deepened her connection to the cultural and natural beauty of gemstones.

In 2015, Harris discovered metalsmithing at the Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg, Florida. Captivated by the flame of the torch and the transformative nature of metal, she began shaping sheet and wire into original designs. Through ongoing study and experimentation, she honed her craft and found her artistic voice in metalwork.

By 2018, she launched Black Girl On Fire, a jewelry line that merges the strength of metal with the elegance of semi-precious beads. Her pieces have been showcased at the Morean Arts Center and featured in exhibitions and pop-ups throughout Atlanta.

Monek is an active member of the Metal Arts Guild of Georgia and the visionary founder of the Strange Fruit Arts Center, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting and promoting African American artists. She describes her creative process as "a connection from the heart, extended through her hands, into wearable art."