I think it fortuitous that just as I am researching Mama Wata, this video surfaces inn my feed as inspiration.
Inspired by Safety Pins
Im loving this work. In my teens, I was fond of making safety pin pendants using beads and embroidery thread.
Coconut Rope Making
This gives me so many ideas…
Say it Loud
Inspired By Felix Gonzales-Torres
Felix Gonzalez-Torres was a highly influential contemporary artist known for his conceptual and minimalist works that often explored themes of love, loss, and the fragility of human existence. One of the distinctive aspects of his art is its materiality, which often employed everyday objects and minimalist aesthetics to convey profound emotional and political messages.
One of Gonzalez-Torres’s most famous works is his series of “Untitled” candy installations. These installations consist of piles of individually wrapped candies, typically placed directly on the floor or on a plinth. Viewers are invited to take a piece of candy, gradually depleting the pile over time. The materiality of the candies, which are perishable and consumable, serves as a metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life and the inevitability of loss. As viewers interact with the artwork by taking a piece of candy, they become participants in the process of transformation and decay, reflecting the cycle of life and death.
Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s exploration of materiality sparks my imagination. Inspired by his adept use of everyday objects and minimalist styles, I aim to craft artwork that resonates both visually and intellectually. Much like Gonzalez-Torres, I seek to engage viewers in reflecting upon profound themes in unexpected ways.
Inspired by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s “Phenomenal Woman” is a powerful ode to self-assurance and female empowerment. In the poem, Angelou celebrates her own unique beauty and presence, rejecting conventional standards of attractiveness. Instead of conforming to society’s expectations, she revels in her own essence and exudes confidence in her identity as a woman. Through her words, Angelou encourages other women to embrace their own uniqueness and recognize their inherent worth, regardless of external judgments or pressures.
Inspired by Jeffery Gibson
Jeffrey Gibson’s work is undeniably inspiring! His fusion of traditional Native American materials and techniques with non traditional substrates like punching bags creates a vibrant and thought-provoking visual language. As I delve into my own artistic practice, I’m drawn to Gibson’s bold use of color, pattern, and texture, as well as his exploration of identity and cultural heritage. His ability to blend diverse materials into cohesive and evocative artworks encourages me to push the boundaries of my own creativity and explore new ways of expressing my ideas.
Find inspiration in the mundane
“Ideas may come from anywhere, anything, anytime, anyplace. For the most part, however, I believe that they spring from rather unromantic, sometimes unexpected, or even unsavory sources. The artist is a collector of things imaginary or real. He accumulates things with the same enthusiasm that a little boy stuffs his pockets. The scrap heap and the museum—embraced with equal curiosity. He takes snapshots, makes notes, records impressions on tablecloths or newspapers, on backs of envelopes or matchbooks. Why one thing and not another is part of the mystery, but he is omnivorous.”
Paul Rand: A Designer’s Art
Inspired by…. Sonya Clark
Textile and social practice artist Sonya Clark is renowned for her mixed-media works that address race and visibility, explore Blackness, and redress history. This online exhibition—the first survey of Clark’s 25-year career—includes the artist’s well-known sculptures made from black pocket combs, human hair, and thread as well as works created from flags, currency, beads, cotton plants, pencils, books, a typewriter, and a hair salon chair.
Close Your Eyes and Listen …
Sitting on my deck, enjoying the gentle warmth of the raindrops on my skin, I closed my eyes, letting myself be carried away by the soothing rhythm of the rain. Suddenly, my peaceful moment was interrupted by a unfamiliar sound. It was Amazon, shuffling through a playlist by Herbie Hancock, and then I heard “The Jungle Line.”
Intrigued, I opened my eyes and asked Alexa for more information. She told me it was from Herbie Hancock’s album “River: The Joni Letters,” released in 2007 as a tribute to Joni Mitchell. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t discovered this song or album before.
As the music continued, I found myself drawn in by its complexity. Joni Mitchell’s lyrics vividly depicted the blend of urban life and natural wilderness, while Leonard Cohen’s distinctive recitation added depth. And then there was Hancock’s skillful keyboard work, weaving intricate rhythms and atmospheric sounds together.
In moments like these, when the rain and music merged, I felt a profound connection to something greater – a fusion of nature and melody. It served as a powerful reminder of the unexpected beauty that can be found in simple moments of life.