Allysia van Duijn (they/she) is a scholar, curator, and artist with a broad interest in Black history and visual culture, Black wellness, and contemporary art. They are currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Africana Studies at New York University, where their work focuses on curating exhibitions that center Black artists, and researching Black liberatory wellness, Black European identity, and Black women's migration.
Allysia van Duijn holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Social Science from the University of Amsterdam, a 200-hour Hatha/Vinyasa yoga certification from the School of Yoga, and is a Fulbright awardee for their graduate studies at NYU.
They have contributed to various curatorial projects at the Open Space Contemporary Art Museum in Amsterdam, celebrating young Black artists and the Dutch Black community. In addition to curating, Allysia is also a practicing artist. Inspired by the tradition of Surinamese woodcraft, they create innovative designs using laser-cut techniques. So far, they have developed two main collections: one of wooden corsets and another of wooden headpieces.
Allysia also has experience working with Black history archives through grassroots organizations such as The Need for Legacy and The Black Archives, both based in Amsterdam. Their passion for Black wellness, rest, and community building is central to their practice. This commitment is especially evident in their work with the collective Yoga for Black Babes, where they taught gentle Hatha yoga classes. For Allysia, this dedication to community and wellness is not just a practice—it’s a guiding principle interwoven into everything they do.
Recognition in Words (2022)
Recognition in Words is a collection of wooden headpieces designed by Allysia vd. The pieces are inspired by traditional Surinamese wood craft.
Photography by Goldiie, models: Alejandra K. & Vroni Martina.
Black Europe zine (2025)
Black Europe zine highlights and celebrates six Black European creatives.
It comes forth from a scholarly research on Black Europe and is translated in a colorful zine containing interviews with multidisciplinary women, collages, and academic reflections on the ideal of racelessness in Europe. It reflects and captures part of the Black cultural movement happening now.
Front cover image by fashion designer Zhané Smit
Exhibition De Komma
Allysia vd curated the one-day Keti Koti exhibition in 2023, in collaboration with OSCAM. The exhibition was for the 150th commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the Netherlands.
Located at Museumplein Amsterdam 2023,
Photography by Almicheal Fraay.
4. Curated the one day Keti Koti exhibition, in collaboration with OSCAM. The exhibition was for the 150th commemoration of the abolition of slavery from the Netherlands.
Located at Museumplein Amsterdam 2023,
Photography by Almicheal Fraay.
Breathwork session - exhibition program
'Let's Be Honest, We all Need Rest'
In 2023 Allysia vd led a guided breathwork session program for the exhibition Let's be honest, We All Need Rest in the Open Space Contemporary Art Museum.
Photography by Monika Vaskorova, 2023