Back by popular demand, BUTTER seeks to push boundaries by elevating Black artists in the national conversation, promoting equity in the arts and fueling the creative economy. The multi-day fine art fair in Indianapolis will showcase the works of more than 50 Black visual artists from across the country. I’ll be representing New Jersey with my installation “Free Your Mind” and my Emotional Baggage Cart series.
General admission tickets are available for purchase at www.butterartfair.com for $35 (guests 18 and under are free). Preview Night tickets (includes Thursday night access) will be available for purchase for $175.
Thursday, September 1: VIP Preview Night, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, September 2: Opening Day and Night, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, September 3: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., plus MELT 9 p.m. to midnight
The exhibition casts a wide net and captures an impressive variety of interpretations on the ever-present artistic motif, offering the audience a rare treasure trove of old and new takes on the creative confessional that is the self-portrait.
Curated by Juno Zago Exhibition Dates: June 25th – August 5th, 2022 Opening Reception – June 25th, 6-9pm Location: Gallery Aferro Main Gallery, 73 Market St, Newark, NJ
“Camouflage Pink” Mixed Media Fiber 100’x 1/2″ 2019Camouflage Pink Detail
and congratulations to all the awardees; Alon Nechushtan, Bryant Small, Cheryl Gross, David Kikoski, David Solan, Deborah Jack, Douglas Beavers, Eileen Ferara, Gianluca Bianchino, Jin Jung, Katarzyna Skorynkiewicz, Kishawn Jack, Lorenzo Pickett, Michele Byrd-McPhee, Natalia Basava, Richard la Rovere, Roosevelt China, Shamona Stokes, and Zachary Davis.
To say I’ve been grinding since the beginning of the new year is an understatement. Hustle harder vibes have me I’m feeling extra spicy and on edge.
Leaving the Calm app behind for beach breezes, the sound of the waves and the chirping birds as my morning wake up call in St. Croix is the restorative respite I need.
The assignment…
Picking mangoes, avocados and soursop
Breakfast on the beach
Swim with turtles
Blue Mountain hiking trail right out back
Farmers market soca party
Sailing to Buck Island
St. Croix Yacht Club hang
Farm to table dinners
Instal outdoor kitchen at Sky Garden Retreat
Point Udall Sunrise and Sunsets from Cane Bay
Christiansted HarborSky Garden Tree HouseCane Bay Sun SetCane Bay BreakfastSt. Croix Digital Collage
Despite a growing commitment to racial equity, the day-to-day experiences of women of color are not improving. Women of color face similar types and frequencies of disrespectful and “othering” behavior as they did two years ago before the Black Lives Matter movement galvanized worldwide.
Most days, I feel like I am scrambling to the top of Chutes and Ladders’, board game. For each step forward, take two steps back. Land on good deeds of allyship to climb ladders, but watch out for the haters, their passive aggressive chutes are a doozy and will send you tumbling down the ladder, to start the climb all over, again.
On view at Art150 studio #231, 2nd floor 150 Bay Street. Enter at 1st Street and Provost and ride the elevator up to the 2nd floor. My studio is on the Bay Street side of the building.
Chutes and Ladders is on display though the end of June and is a featured event for JCFridays Friday June 3rd from 6:00-9:00pm.
Chutes and Ladders
Vintage Gi Joe action figures, black metallic yarn, handmade eyelash yarn, black and brown cotton/rayon poly blend fabric, African printed fabric, vintage African fabric wrapped on recycled polyurethane spliced jungle gym rope netting.
Those familiar with my work, see the clear inspiration from Nick Cave. YES, I am all about reimagining found materials to create a post racial future. AND it goes deeper than that. I too share the belief that “beauty is optimism.”
From a recent interview with This Is Colossal…
This IsColossal : How do the materials that you use—relate to the more conceptual aspects of your practice? I know sometimes they help draw people in because they’re so visually striking, but how are you thinking about that as you’re working?
Nick: I have to think about the journey and how I get your willingness to explore and go with me. I’m always thinking about ways into the work. Once you’re in, then I tell you what is the root of the work, where is it grounded. At that moment, you have to make that decision. Do I shy away from that and consume myself with the beauty? Beauty for me is optimism. It is the future. It’s me colliding these two forces together and challenging myself, as well as the viewer, to start to dissect, to start to expand on the narrative, to talk about what they’re emotionally feeling and connecting with. At the end of the day, it’s compassion. We need more compassion in the world.
I need to make my way back to Chicago to see Cave’s career retrospective Forothermore at Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Even the show statement speaks directly to my core.
Nick Cave: Forothermore is an ode to those who, whether due to racism, homophobia, or other forms of bigotry, live their lives as the “other”—and a celebration of the way art, music, fashion, and performance can help us envision a more just future.
ArtCrawl Harlem along with other local arts and culture programs returns to Governors Island to offer programs and residencies within the historical homes on Nolan Park and Colonels Row as well as welcome the public in for art exhibits, open studios, art talks and more.
This Summer, I am presenting “Free Your Mind” and “Personal Baggage” two Interactive Art Installations as part of ArtCrawl Harlem’s House at 406B Colonels Row, Governors Island, NYC. On view for the public Friday through Sunday from 12:00 to 5:00PM.
You are invited to work with me on an Emotional Baggage Cart in progress on Governors Island on these dates June 11, June 25, July 2, July 16, August 6 and August 20 from 11:00am – 2:00pm on each day.
To all my California people, the last chance to see my works “Thunderdome” and ” in Roseville CA is coming up.
The Closing Reception is May 21, 4:00 – 8:00pm
Exhibition Dates: April 1 – May 28, 2022
Location: Blue Lines Arts: 405 Vernon Street Suite 100, Roseville, CA
Craft Nouveau is Blue Line Arts‘ biennial juried fine craft competition, open to artists internationally. The exhibition seeks to spark dialogue on traditional delineations between fine craft and art, and highlight mediums and processes typically associated with craft.
Recycled commercial fishing net, ribbon, and paracord
64 x 12 x 6 in
September 2020
