I Just Came Here to Find a Husband (2015-2017) is a deeply vulnerable piece born of Evans’ desire for meaningful connection. In tandem with her physical and mental endurance-based performance practice, Ayana wore a laminated sign reading “I Just Came Here to Find a Husband” from festivals like AFROPUNK to Whole Foods for hours at a time.
During these performances Evans was subjected to endless invasive questions, unsolicited romantic advice, and requests for photos. In conversation with Jasmin Hernandez of Gallery Gurls, Ayana says:
"The underlying theme that I want people to take away from this project is to ask for what you want. It's not about me finding a husband. It's about me letting go of hiding that I'm trying to find a husband."
In performing I Just Came Here to Find a Husband, Ayana found that other women to be particularly supportive, sometimes high-fiving her and saying, "Me too girl!" or "Glad someone said it!"
Wanting more from the project, many people inquired where they could get their own I Just Came Here to Find a Husband merch—leading Evans to hand-make limited edition t-shirts.
In Ayana’s 2019 residency at NADA House on Governors Island, she led a screen printing workshop, teaching participants techniques to make their own shirts and emblazoned with their own hidden desires.
