Tahj “Queen Tahj” Williams, a New Orleans artist, is the first to create the Super Bowl logo and theme art by hand for Super Bowl LIX, one of the year’s most major events.
The 26-year-old told Essence, “This partnership is a dream come true and an opportunity to share the beauty of Black Masking culture with the world.”
Football has always been a part of her life; as the lone girl captaining her middle school football team, she was taught the value of breaking barriers from a young age.
She recounted, “Football has played a tremendous role in my life by teaching me to focus on my dreams without worrying about what society thinks is for girls or boys. It’s the same spirit of determination that shapes my work today.”
Williams, a member of the Golden Eagles Tribe, contributes unmatched experience to this momentous occasion. She combined tradition and creativity to produce a masterpiece for the Super Bowl theme art.
Each bead in her design is painstakingly hand-sewn, with the overall design featuring bold pinks, deep reds, chartreuses, and lush greens, symbolizing the vibrancy of New Orleans.
Her elaborate beading designs are also heavily influenced by the centuries-old cultural practice of Black Masking, which has significant historical significance. This art form was created by African Americans as a means of paying tribute to Native Americans who offered sanctuary during slavery and to highlight community resilience.
The NFL’s decision to highlight Williams’ artistry represents a huge step toward meaningful cultural representation.
Marissa Solis, NFL senior vice president of global brand and consumer marketing, stated, “We knew from the start that we wanted this year’s theme art to capture the essence of New Orleans. Queen Tahj’s deep connection to her community and extraordinary talent made her the perfect artist for this project.”
To enable locals and visitors to experience the culture of New Orleans in a mega way, Williams’ artwork will be on display all across New Orleans during Super Bowl week. It will be featured on the official program cover, digital game tickets, and the exterior of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.
According to NOLA, when Williams isn’t designing, she works in cybersecurity for Microsoft Corp.
She referred to her Super Bowl logo design as a “love letter to New Orleans.”
