For the love of zine making, paint mixing, canvas stretching, plaster pouring, grid glorifying, exhibition roguing, tortured geniuses; better known as.... Art School Girls.
If nothing else, I'm sure art school girls, and the like will beam in dire humor from Ninjasonik's hipster/punk ode to their rightfully peculiar lifestyle.
"Will you draw me a picture PLEASE? You're very abstract!"
B. Vikki Vintage is my new favorite blog. I appreciate it's synergy of culture, historical content, and creativity. Besides all of this, I am simply elated to have found an online source that highlights one of the most aesthetically conservative, and dare I say, conformative eras in African-American culture in such a way that history buffs, fashion freaks, and artsy bloggers (wink) can enjoy nonetheless. B. Vikki Vintage is full of great homages to the early-mid 20th Century via historical photography, authentic commercial advertisements, and fashion editorial.
The creator of B. Vikki Vintage, Rebbeca V. O'Neal is not just a vintage fanatic blogger but she is also an Etsy shop owner. She very recently launched B. Vikki Vintage on Etsy as a means to break ground in a grassroots fashion genre that rarely highlights the major influence that people of color have had on this resurfacing era of fashion. The B. Vikki Vintage blog and Etsy shop coexist as companions in O'Neal's mission to push African-American inspired vintage to the forefront of it's underground industry. Love, love, love it!
I love Jin Young Yu's sculptures! They are incredibly emotive and tell stories in a way that only sculpture can. -Stories that are painfully visible, yet desperately made invisible by societal standards. Typically, I am always at peak for words when writing about art but, these pieces can easily summon you to stillness and reflection. ART!
Check out his work below and his blog here! (in Korean)
IyaDedE blows the cobwebs off of the seemingly archaic notion that music can make you think and stretch your imagination to new heights of consciousness. Yes, music can actually do this! In fact, music, or better yet, orchestrated sound was originally used for its healing powers and supernatural frequencies. (I digress)
IyaDedE, being a proud woman of Rwandan roots, still bears her culture's unearthed and organic gift of music that surpasses simple melodic theories. Her music soars. And if you have, the slightest yearning to take flight to a realm of soul, rock, afro-beat, and electronic funk, bid your dab reality adieu before experiencing IyaDedE's music. IyaDedE's Youtube Channel is nothing short of an artistic repertoire of some of the most introspective, organic, and pleasantly abstract visual encounters with music. My favorites are The Tea Ceremony for its simplicity and raw appeal, and her performance of In My Darkest Hour @ the Brooklyn Museum for its display of her fusion of music and culture. See a few of IyaDedE's vids below!
Tanekeya Word rightfully dons the title, "The Duchess of Art." You can expect to be graced with a royal dose of richness, vibrance, and sheer flyness when within reach of one her contemporary pop art creations. She has travailed as the truest of advocates for the arts. As such, by no amazement did I discover that she was pursuing a Masters in Arts Management at American University in Washington, D.C. I find it to be very inspiring that as an already a successful artist in her own right, she yet desires to broaden her reach in the arts industry. For her, it was not enough to solely paint the creations that adorn the halls of galleries and museums, but she felt it to be imperative to proactively impact the business of urban art, and ensure that it is propelled to the forefront of mainstream art institutions.
Ms. Word's pop art paintings are cultural cornerstones, in that, they inhabit a classic appeal to that makes their clearly contemporary subjects appear as timeless. Word's paintings have a way of seemingly putting pop culture's contemporary musings into a time capsule of matte and ink. Please, do not be as remiss to not indulge yourself in her explosive portfolio of color and culture. We should all be found in utter graciousness that " The Duchess of Art" is currently extending a wonderful Fall Art Sale!
While pursuing her Masters degree, Word is embarking on a few new projects that are sure to astonish, as well as launching a new website. Nothing like a woman who is creative and about her business! -Should you really expect anything less from" The Duchess of Art?" --Exactly!
Shout out to The Coil Review for this incredibly necessary visual! YES!
Disclaimer: Not snubbing our relaxer, sew-in, or press and curl sisters. (I payed occasional visits to the hot comb chair too... when I had hair.) Just spreading love to the true roots that lie beneath it all... Yeah, the ones we tend to hide between beautician visits. ;-) Its high-time they get love too!
Frida Kamau-Hathorn's (pictured to the left, via 3rdward) portraiture contributions are an art blogger's dream! Matter of fact, during the conception of this blog, I new my very first post would feature her work. Indeed, I was steadfast in this conviction. (My very first post here!)
Typically, I share artists that I have been following and I feel should get a boost of public affection. But, Kamau-Hathorn and her work is a bit more personal to me. I have yet, to come across a painter who illustrates women quite like she does. Her female subjects usually display a clever and slightly androgynous demeanor. -Nonetheless, they are beautiful and enchanting all the same.
As a self-proclaimed non- "girly-girl", I find an unspoken comfort in Kamau-Hathorn's work. I've always considered simply being pretty as... cliche' and predictable. Being a woman is powerful, wondrous, and a blessed responsibility. Frida Kamau-Hathorn visualizes this for me. Her paintings, sketches, and photography are all worth a double take. As such, it was only a matter of time before I officially highlighted her work and featured it in the B|B|C Hearts these Works of Art column.
To learn more about this phenomenal artist and her portfolio, click here!
Hail to the Chief! No, patronization here. I am sincerely this excited about my recent knowledge of Mr. Franklin Sirmans' appointment as both the new chief curator of contemporary art and department head at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
The plight of arts administrators of color is growing slightly less stark and rare. However, there is still a need for more minorities to take administrative control over the documentation, exhibition, and conservation of our history, culture, and art. This is integral to the global community's observation and remembrance of our coexistence as a humanity.
With that being blogged, Mr. Franklin Sirman, THANK YOU! B|B|C salutes you!
Read more about Sirmans' extensive background in the visual arts industry and his new appointment at LACMA HERE!
Peter Anton is a recent sculptor find that I am in love with! Upon viewing his splendidly, flavorful portfolio, I realized that I have been neglecting to post sculpture, unknowingly of course. Tisk Tisk! No worries- more to come!
Lets not make any mistakes about it, folks... MUSIC is indeed an art! (hint: expect more music posts) Afrobeat+Jazz is one of those genres of music that instantly takes me to a place of unknown familiarity. To put it more frankly, Afrobeat+Jazz, and for that matter, Jazz in general challenges my Generation Y behind to engage in musical expression that is noticeably cloaked in the Motherland's distinct and universal appeal. It sounds somewhat foreign but, if feels overwhelmingly like home.
Actually, its makes perfect sense that Afrobeat+Jazz are evolving as one. Im sure if Afrobeat+Jazz could talk, they would say "Don't call it a comeback! We've been intertwined for years!" (Was tempted to go into musical ethnology- Dah! I'll digress on that note.)
Somi is this sometimes overlooked genre of music's manifestation in the flesh. The first time Somi came to my knowledge wass in her music video for Ingele on Vh1 Soul. -Been a fan ever since. Recently a fellow Cincy-based blogger, reminded me of how powerful the artform of music is. So much so, that I was felt impelled to update my playlist and share an artist sooner than soon. (lol) I chose Somi because she is, well.... flat-out fly, and her new poster for her upcoming gig in NYC is amazing. (Click on the image for details)
Its a wrap! Summer is O.V.E.R. So you know what that means... Time for some new threads!- And I mean that literally and figuratively.
With the wind-chill factor playing an evil game of peek-a-boo, I began salivating at the new Etsy listing of hand-made brilliance, UrbanKnit. And you know, you have to top off the haute scarves' practicality with a splurge of pure fashion fun with these awesome clutches. -Wishlist perfection!
In lieu of today's celebration of Nigeria's Independence Day (woo hoo!), the fashion musings of this post are brought to you by a very proud Nigerian-born designer, Dolapo James. Check out the UrbanKnit etsy shop, website, and blog! (wink)
Something remains to be seen and said about my hometown of Cincinnati, OH. There is something riveting in the artmosphere, if you will. I mean think about it! -Most of you are still finding it hard to believe that you are actually finding intriguing cultural, artistic, and fashion editorial from a blogger based in..... (crickets) CINCINNATI, OH!?
Nnn'yah, don't be alarmed! No need to ask, "Who runs this town?", when your entire city GET'S DOWN! (I had to. LOL)
Feast you eyes on my city as they nonchalantly wreak FLASH DANCE HAVOC on our beloved Fountain Square, also know as the heart of downtown Cincinnati. Loves it!
Shout out to the Fine Arts Fund and the Arts & Culture Partnership Blog. You guys rock so hard for supporting this much needed combustion of Cincinnati's very own creative cul-de-sac.
Where my passions become airborne.
Art for people who are not afraid of nay sayers' BLANKstares, or the thrill of being challenged by a BAREcanvas, and last but not least those who are living REAL life--- the type of life that occassionally summons you to seek a CLEANslate.
I invite you to exhale with me... and live a tad bit more fearlessly than you did the day before.
Blank.Bare.Clean believes in giving credit where credit is due. Blank.Bare.Clean, only takes credit for the media that has been developed by this blog's administrator. All other media is cited with its owner's respective name/or agency and contact website.
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