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Q&A with Professor of Photography and Kamoinge Inc. Member, Gerald Cyrus

Tim Gustave

Gerald Cyrus: Jazz has historically played a major role in the culture of Harlem. Some of the most famous jazz clubs (such as Minton’s Playhouse) were based there, and countless musicians have been residents. When I moved there in the early 1990’s, there were several neighborhood bars and lounges where live music was featured nightly with no cover charge. Almost all of those places are gone now, replaced by condos and upscale restaurants and bars. I moved out of Harlem in 1997 and live in Philadelphia now, but I’m always amazed at the changes that have taken place since then. Continue reading Q&A with Professor of Photography and Kamoinge Inc. Member, Gerald Cyrus

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The Creative Power and Afrofuturism of Katia Herrera

Tim Gustave

Despite Herrera being a self-proclaimed introvert, her artwork is remarkably loud in a world trying to quiet black voices. With titles like Black Woman, You Own the Moon, Earth Goddess, Forever, and Universe Protector, Herrera’s legacy will be marked by her passion for highlighting the endurance and perseverance of black folks of old and present to contrast the narrative that black skin should only be associated with slavery. Continue reading The Creative Power and Afrofuturism of Katia Herrera

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All Access into Dorota Liwacz’s Intergalactic Art

Tim Gustave

Although her pieces are quite together, they highlight the torn nature that we all have within, struggling with emotionality, connection, spirituality, and even the existence (or lack-there-of) of aliens. Featuring women independent of objectification, the viewer is presented with feminism and female empowerment in each work. Continue reading All Access into Dorota Liwacz’s Intergalactic Art

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Pei-Yu Is Happy!

Cedrick Gustave

Hi, my name is Pei-Yu Huang, sometimes friends call me Happy. I am 22 years old. I’m studying visual communication design in Taiwan and going to graduate from college this year. I also have a day-job teaching children to draw and sculpt. In my free time, I like to stay at home and make things. I think art always represents the creator and the situation in their heart, or what they’ve been through. Sometimes it’s a way to express yourself. My art is centered around the belief in “happiness”, and the creation of a world of make-believe. Everything depends on my life, and what mood I’m in. Although the world I create is so colourful, I’m not great at thinking positively. Whenever I feel depressed, I listen to music. Then I paint. Continue reading Pei-Yu Is Happy!

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Protocol’s Ahmad Ferguson Drops Knowledge & Talks Florida Man Headlines

Cedrick Gustave

Hello! I’m Ahmad, I sing in a hardcore band called Protocol. We started in Tallahassee, FL but we’re from all over these days. A lot of our songs try to confront uglier topics like racism, American exceptionalism, violence, etc. Sounds kinda boring, but I’m not sure there’s much more to the story than that! Continue reading Protocol’s Ahmad Ferguson Drops Knowledge & Talks Florida Man Headlines

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The ABC’s of Screen Printing with Joshua Rodriguez

Cedrick Gustave

When I was younger, I honestly always loved clothes but I never knew the process of making clothes. I never really had people I could go to, to ask questions. But I learned how to screenprint at a young age through all the great art programs that there are in Providence. Through me being in different bands, I would design and print all the merch. I fell in love with the process of printmaking and decided to take on a new project of my own, which is now my brand “Alphabets.” Continue reading The ABC’s of Screen Printing with Joshua Rodriguez

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DHANTÉ Drops “Can’t We Smile” and Meditates About His Future

Tim Gustave

Today is Valentine’s Day to all, but to 19-year old emcee DHANTÉ fans, future and present, it’s his birthday and the day he drops the visuals to “Can’t We Smile.” DHANTÉ grew up on Long Island and in Flatbush, Brooklyn to a Guyanese father and Jamaican mother with soca, reggae, and dancehall being played in his household. Outside of the house, BK impacted his music, drawing influence from Pro Era. At first he was a singer, but he fell in love with emceeing almost immediately after a studio invite. Continue reading DHANTÉ Drops “Can’t We Smile” and Meditates About His Future

Visual Art1 Comment

You’re Ghana Need to Follow the Artistic Ethos of Samuel Blankson

Tim Gustave

Hailing from Ghana, 24-year old graphic designer Samuel Blankson aka @themanyphacedgod uses his savoir-faire of digital art and love of black skin as a way to paint mortal men as God-like entities. Drawing from hip-hop and r&b culture, Blankson uses his artistic gift as a way to pay homage to pop icons who make dark features as beautiful as they always have been. Continue reading You’re Ghana Need to Follow the Artistic Ethos of Samuel Blankson

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Power to the Paintbrush, Tatiana K.’s Delightful Artwork

Tim Gustave

The empowering art of Tatiana K. aka @phoenixaaart of Florida, is full of beautiful black faces expressing the emotionality of the human experience. Tatiana says that all she wants to do is something that “radiates peace and tranquility and a sense of something more than just this reality” and her art already has done so and will continue to do so as she grows ever stronger. Continue reading Power to the Paintbrush, Tatiana K.’s Delightful Artwork