N.O.M.A.D.

stands

for:

Narratives

Odyssey

Manifesting

Artistic

Dreams

“My artwork explores the memories and narratives reflected through my experiences of the many homes and places I have lived in.”

I use found objects as metaphors that narrate my journey. As a contemporary Nomad with nomadic roots, I embrace each new place as an oasis, where community, land and environment share their story with me, as I with them.

— Dominique Moody 2025

Photo Credits: Joshua White

1996
2008
2009
2009

Artwork that inspired the N.O.M.A.D.

This piece was the first to reference my nomadic narrative. It was created for my first solo exhibition held at the Watts Towers Arts Center in 1996 titled, “Into the Dream Box”. The collaged images on the stacked wooden boxes are photos from the many houses I’ve lived in, which at that point numbered at least forty.
Photo Credit:
This piece began as an installation at Project Row House in Houston, TX through an invitation from Rick Lowe, the founder. It depicts my family’s sojourn through a legacy of urban displacement and migration and how our sweat equity was required to create redlined houses into homes. I used old photos of where we lived and discarded bottles found in the streets to convey my family’s contributions within a community that represented collective struggle.
Photo Credit:
I remember loving my metal skates as a child, and this attraction to anything on wheels has never gone away. Combining an old roller skate with a cardboard shoe box instantly took shape as a house on wheels and brought “My Road to Freedom” to life. Created in just a few days, it was presented in the annual “incognito” fundraiser exhibition for the Santa Monica Museum. This unsigned artwork was recognized by my art patron and collector Dr. Joy Simmons, who supported the Nomad since its inception.
Photo Credit:
In this group exhibition, CAAM curator Michelle Lee invited artists to imagine a future both personal and cultural. For me, I wanted to share my dream of building a mobile, portrait home that is a narrative art dwelling. I salvaged wood and corrugated sheets, old doors and windows, hubcaps and branches. During the installation process, I was featured in the exhibition as the artist builder. I discussed with viewers the ideas about “Home” as I continued to work on the structure.
Photo Credit:

FEATURED IN

Storytelling from the Porch…

The NOMAD's porch was an essential aspect of its construction. Within the African-American architectural form of the rowhouse, the porch is the transitional space between public and private. The NOMAD honors this tradition and has therefore inspired stories to be shared from the porch. I have had audiences listen to my stories, but I have also had other artists, poets, and dancers express themselves on my porch. When the NOMAD is on the street, people will come to the porch, welcomed by its inviting aesthetic, and once I begin to share my story, people in response share theirs.