art

Conversations in COLOURS by emerging Black Visual Artists, Brixton, 11 to 13 October 2019

September 29 2019 , Written by www.afrocultureblog.com Published on #art, #exhibition, #ujamaa, #afroculture, #2019, #disruptspace

Disrupt Space is a visual arts agency established to nurture and represent emerging Black visual artists. The company will recruit artists to accelerate their progression and build a platform for the future.

The new venture begins with a display of works of art called CONVERSATIONS IN COLOUR that can be seen at The Department Store in Brixton (from 11th - 13th of October, 12 - 5pm). Here, artists Lola Betiku, Marlon Stewart, Sharon Adebisi and Gus Brooks-Simpson take centre stage to unveil their work; some of which has been prepared just for the show.

To mark the occasion, Disrupt Space has invited one of our leading Black visual artist, Alvin Kofi of Kofi Arts to contribute to the programme. On Sunday 13th October (2 - 4pm) Kofi will present and preview work from his forthcoming coming collection entitled 'Figures in a Landscape’.

Contact details and social below:

#BlackArtDisrupts
e. preid@disruptspace.org
t. @disruptspace
f. disruptspacehq
w. disruptspace.org

Conversations in Colour

Eventbrite - Disrupt Space presents Conversations in Colour - Thursday, 10 October 2019 | Sunday, 13 October 2019 at The Department Store. Find event and ticket information.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/conversations-in-colour-tickets-74478327683

Ba Khem Arts - a fusion of ancient traditions, contemporary society and future visioning

August 23 2019 , Written by Paul Reid Published on #art, #paul reid, #exhibition, #ujamaa, #afroculture, #2019

Visiting Gus of Ba Khem Arts this week in Shoreditch was a real highpoint for me. This talented young Brother really had me thinking. I arrived with no expectations really, just open I suppose to see what the Brother has going on but I left lifted and thinking how fortunate I was to catch this on the last day of his exhibition.

The style of work reminded me of the kind of art you’d see on the front of some iconic album covers from back in the day. A whole bunch of references came flooding back; all brought to life by the explanation from the artist, who fluently talked though each and every piece with a passion.

You could miss this work with a glance but pause for a moment and join the dots up and you’ll see there’s a lot going on here.

As Gus goes about the business of applying thought to canvas, I got an overwhelming sense that he’s channeling. The lived experiences of personal relationships finds a way to be heard through references to ancient traditions, contemporary society and future visioning. Every piece is conceptual with a suggestion of cultural download.

I was left thinking... Wow! what a wealth of potential and creativity in our community. We really must find ways for this to grow and prosper.

Review of Ba Khem Arts by Paul Reid

See a selection of Ba Khem Arts work below and his website!!

BKA WORLD

https://bkaworld.com

Kalakuta Republik: A place where freedom lives on !!

June 1 2019 , Written by www.afrocultureblog.com Published on #carosika, #art, #artist, #ujamaa, #afroculture, #2019, #kalakutarepublik

Part 1 "Without a story, we would go mad"

Provoking and non-conformist, Serge Aimé Coulibaly is transporting us in a world where Fela Kuti, the revolutionary icon that inspired the piece Kalakuta Republik, is displayed in 3D through his musical greatness, his murky and superstitious genius, his enduring creativity pushing off boundaries and his unwavering defiance. Kalakuta Republik offers no escape to facing the crude realities of revolutionary acts : the sublime and the chaos.

Part 1 " Without a story we would go mad" peaks away from codes, from what is predictable into continuous individual movements that take us into a disjointed trance. The dancers are dressed in black and white as if presenting a manichaean view and isolated experience of the world. Yet Serge Coulibaly through his appearances on stage becomes a conductor who connects with the dancers.

Part 2 "You always need a poet"

In Part 2 « You always need a poet », we are firstly confronted with moral decadence and the absurd. Sexual depravity, drugs, madness punctuate the sounds of jazz-infused Afrobeat. One dancer is hurt, heavyloaded while others are intoxicated, used, hurt, abused. The colours remind us of Fela Kuti’s Shrine which was both a temple and a night club. Yet, the poignant and enduring message of hope and political resistance clearly resonates throughout the piece.

The dancers keep on marching, clenched-fists in the air. And the fight goes on !!!

Kalakuta Republik will show one more night at the Barbican on 1st June and at the Edinburgh International Festival from 8th to 11th August 2019. See links below to book your tickets now.

Kalakuta Republik | Barbican

Dizzying movement, revolutionary ideas and the sounds of jazz-infused Afrobeat recreate the Kalakuta Republik, Fela Kuti's communal compound in Lagos.

https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2019/event/serge-aime-coulibaly-kalakuta-republik

Kalakuta Republik | Edinburgh International Festival

A dizzying fusion of dance, music and revolution, inspired by the supercharged music and scandalous life of Fela Kuti from Faso Danse Théâtre. 8-11 August 2019.

https://www.eif.co.uk/whats-on/2019/kalakuta

A KWANZAA TREAT AT AZAWALA - SATURDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2018

December 15 2018 , Written by www.afrocultureblog.com Published on #exhitibion, #event, #kwanzaa, #art, #music, #ujamaa, #afroculture, #2018

Saturday 15th December 2018 2pm - 10pm

By day you will marvel at the "OUT OF DARKNESS" art exhibition produced by our very own multi talented allrounder NEFATERI. In the evening meet and hear the highly acclaimed classical Singer and Composer JUWON OGUNGBE as he performs his CHRISTMAS meets KWANZAA recital. All this and more in our newly rebufurbished creative space.
Food and Drinks available

THIS IS A FREE EVENT BUT PLEASE REGISTER AS SEATS ARE LIMITED FOR THE RECITAL

Azawala/Gida Soft Launch Invitation

From 2pm You are invited to enjoy our new surroundings whist taking in the many talents of one of our very own. 'Multi-Award winning Entrepreneur, Nefateri, will showcase her exhibition 'Out of ...

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/azawalagida-soft-launch-invitation-tickets-52918885812

'Multi-Award winning Entrepreneur, Nefateri, showcasing her exhibition 'Out of Darkness

'Multi-Award winning Entrepreneur, Nefateri, showcasing her exhibition 'Out of Darkness'. It shines a light on a period of her depression and exposes what can be done when you come out of that darkness and tap into your creative source.

cclaimed singer, musician and composer Juwon Ogungbe is to perform CHRISTMAS meets KWANZAA

7.30pm - 10pm
Acclaimed singer, musician and composer Juwon Ogungbe is to perform CHRISTMAS meets KWANZAA - a mini song recital of seasonal songs from the African Diaspora, Europe and America at Gida Collective London.
Featuring songs from folkloric sources, by African, British and American composers, plus some self composed tunes, the mini recital is to be followed by a set of carols and seasonal songs for the audience to join in and sing along to.

Juwon Ogungbe said "I am looking forward to presenting this unique Christmas meets Kwanzaa experience in the welcoming and comfortable premises of Gida Collective London.The opportunity to hear my unique selection of seasonal songs in the exquisitely upgraded Gida Collective Shop is a cool Yule experience that shouldn't be missed. Audience members are to get a chance to sing much loved Christmas songs as well"

Juwon Ogungbe is a distinguished opera singer and composer, as well as a performer in a range of other genres. He has composed for the BBC, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Southbank Centre amongst many others. In 2018, his operatic works have been in various stages of development at Opera North, Grimeborn Opera Festival (at The Arcola Theatre) and at the Dhow Countries Music Academy, Zanzibar.
More information about Ogungbe's work can be found on links below:

Home | Juwon Ogungbe

Does performance of a high calibre need to be presented in a traditional theatrical space? There is an obvious answer to this question, but it shouldn't be assumed that everyone knows and ...

https://juwonogungbe.com/

Afrocentric Creatives

Travelling through London yesterday - from inner North London to the outskirts of suburbia, south of the river, I came across many folks who were wont to forget

https://afrocentriccreatives.com/

LIVE FREE OR DIE!! From Pointe à Pitre, to Unesco and beyond...

July 5 2018 , Written by Caro Sika Published on #carosika, #art, #society, #afroculture, #2018

Presentation of Vivre Libre ou Mourir at UNESCO on 8th June 2018

On the 8th June 2018 at Unesco in partnership with its « Slave Route » project, the founders of the "Vivre Libre ou Mourir" initiative, namely Shuck One from Guadeloupe and Emily Gonneau, French-British, representing Unicum Music, launched the first ever vinyl album connected to an app (out since the 27th May 2018) dedicated to the memory of the translatlantic slave trade.

The vynil is linked to Shuck One’s visual art installation "L"histoire en marche - History Marching" and composer Maxime Lenik’s sound illustration of it. The work of art was commissioned by the French State and is part of the permanent collection at the Memorial ACTe in Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe.

Thanks to the vynil, many more will now be able to remotely explore the work exposed wherever they are on the planet. The vinyl is like any other vinyl that you play on a standard turntable, yet when you scan it with a smartphone (even through the album cover) it uses NFC technology to connect you to a platform hosting :

- the tracks on the vinyl as well as bonus featuring Lilian Thuram

- the biographies of the Shuck One and Maxime Lenik, the art installation’s co-creators

- videos about Shuck One’s 'History in the making'

- content provided by UNESCO from its « Slave Route » project

- updates and news on the topic concerning the duty of memory of the transatlantic slave trade

In order for the user’s experience of the project may happen over a long period of time, new content will progressively be uploaded onto the app on a monthly basis, such as :

- educational videos

- videos exploring the creative process

- interviews with personalities about the importance of the Transatlantic Slave Trade’s impact on our collective memory today and beyond

- presentation of the tools and material used to compose

Continue to read for more info on the project "Vivre Libre ou Mourir"

From the top, Shuck One and its installation at the Memorial ACTe; below Emily Gonneau of Unicum

How did it all begin?

It all started in 2015 when Shuck One, a visual and street art artist was commissionned to create a visual installation for the Memorial ACTe in Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe called "L'Histoire en Marche".

This fine arts project pays hommage to the fight for Freedom against Napoleon Bonaparte's troops which came to Guadeloupe to reestablish slavery in 1801, initiated and led by Joseph Ignace and Louis Delgres. It is a contemporary reflection of the 21st century concerning a page of History which is still being written today through ongoing research for which perception must continue to contribute to the collective conscience.

It consists in a composition in volume with the intervention of different techniques: acrylic, aerosol, magic-marker, collages of heteroclitic elements. The work in volume is conceived from a vintage map of Guadeloupe which traces a topography of confrontation. With regard to this topography, a chronology of the conﬂict is integrated in the form of collages.The work invites us to stride in the wake of the resistance, its path on a factual and physical dimension with the integration in volume of dismembered bodies, charred projections of ﬂesh with gunpowder impactions; the extreme violence with which the insurgents faced the men of Richepance is palpable. The movements of Ignace and Delgrès' troops become charged with a mental and ideological dimension, notably signiﬁed by Delgrès' declaration of May 10th 1802, cited and presented in collage form: « LIVE FREE OR DIE! » its relevance is universal!

This visual installation is complemented by a sound installation composed by Maxime Lenik and interpreted by Yorrick Troman. See link below for their biographies (French only, English soon available)

Continue reading for more upcoming events of "Vivre Libre ou Mourir" and Shuck One's biography

Visual installation of Shuck One "L'histoire en Marche"

Vivre Libre ou Mourir - Unicum Music prépare la sortie d'un vinyle connecté avec Le Mémorial ACTe pour rendre hommage aux victimes de l'esclavage à travers une expérience interactive.

Mémorial ACTe, œuvre visuelle et sonore intitulée " L'Histoire en Marche " réalisée par le street artist guadeloupéen Shuck One, dont l'illustration sonore est signée par le compositeur Maxi...

http://www.vivrelibreoumourir.fr/

This work will continually be evolving and the project will be presented in a number of cities across the world.

Next dates will be on the 21st October 2018 at the Memorial ACTe in Point-à-Pitre to commemorate the 21st October 1801 when Louis Delgrès, French army battalion chief, led the rebellion in Guadeloupe, alongside Joseph Ignace, against the Napoleonic troops of general Richepance sent to restore slavery on the island, which concluded with the famous cry of Louis Delgrès "Live Free or Die", who preferred to commit suicide, along with his 300 men, rather than surrender.

The event at the Memorial ACTe in Guadeloupe will journey through these tragic events supported by the visual display of Shuck One and the sound installation by Maxime Lenik, followed by a discussion.

More dates to come in 2019. Stay tuned!

Continue reading for more info on the visual, street art artist and activist Shuck One

LIVE FREE OR DIE!! From Pointe à Pitre, to Unesco and beyond...

Biography of Shuck One

Born in Pointe-A-Pitre in 1970, Shuck One moved to Paris at the age of 14 years old, where he immediately joined the emerging Hip Hop movement. The walls and the undeground arteries of the city became his principle medium of expression. Among the most active members of DCM (Da Criminal Minded), he reigned over 3 metro lines and led some of the first descents into the Parisian train stations from 1987 to 1989, which would have been classed at the time as acts of vandalism.

In 1989, with two friends, Banga and Bobo, they founded the collective "Basalt, mural expression" which actively participated in writing a new page in the history of French graffiti art until 1994, soon after he began to focus on using canvas and on developing a formal and abstract style as his unique form of expression. His works became permanent and got included in public and private collections all over the world.

Shuck One participated in the exhibit Graffiti Art, American and French, 1981-1991, at the Musée National des monuments historiques, in 1991, and TAG, at the Grand Palais, in 2009 to name but a few.

For more info on Shuck One, see link below

ShuckOne

http://shuckone.com/

Caro Sika with Shuck One on the left and Emily Gonneau on the right

Ozas créateur et designer situé rue de l'Arc à Marseille

June 19 2018 , Written by Caro Sika Published on #carosika, #mode, #art, #fashion, #ujamaa, #afroculture, #2018, #ozaprod99

Ozas avec deux créations de baskets customisés

J'arrive à prendre au vol OZAS lors de mon passage à Marseille alors qu'il est en semaine d'ateliers d'initiations au graff avec des jeunes en champ d'insertion; et qu'il vient tout juste de finir de poser une enseigne avec un collègue pour un magasin à Marseille, les deux étant des activités rémunérantes qu'OZAS développe et ajoute à son savoir faire.

Voir photos ci-dessous:

Continuez à lire ci-dessous pour plus d'infos sur OZAS

Pose d'enseigne et atelier de graff par OZAS

Fresque réalisée par OZAS et ses stagiaires

L'épopée d'OZAS...........

OZAS, de nom patronymique Jhona Vaz, débute sa carrière très jeune.Le créateur est né au Sénégal en 1985 et s'installe à Marseille à 10 ans. La marque Ozas est crée en 2004. Son élément déclencheur fut en Normandie en 1997 alors qu'il feuilletait un magazine de hip hop avec 4 pages de graffitis. Il commença à développer ses talents de grapheurs qu'il allia au fil du temps à ses études dans le textile afin de créer la marque innovante que l'on connait aujourd'hui OZAS combiné à 99PROD, qui fait référence au matricule administratif français indiquant que Jhona Vaz est d'origine étrangère

Pour plus d'infos sur OZAS, continuez à lire ci-dessous:

Ozas99prod

Ozas99prod. 1.2K likes. ......neuf 9 prod......

https://en-gb.facebook.com/Ozas99prod/

En 2008 , OZAS reçoit une double reconnaissance :
- Le Sénat lui délivre le prix Nobel " Talents des Cités " catégorie Émergence.
- Le Conseil Général, le prix " Envie d'Agir ".

Déja impressionnant , le CV de Jhona Vaz ne cesse de s'allonger. En 2009 , il inaugure la première boutique OZAS 99* PROD , situé au 8 rue de l'Arc 13001 Marseille, où notre interview a lieu et qui est le point de RDV de nombreux créatifs à Marseille. Rue de l'Arc conserve aussi l'empreinte de Grapheur d'OZAS, voir la fresque ci-dessous.

Pour plus d'infos sur OZAS, continuez à lire ci-dessous:

Fresque d'OZAS, rue de l'Arc à Marseille

En pleine expansion , la marque, aux valeurs traditionnelles et modernes, s'implique notamment auprès des artistes qui savent mélanger la qualité et l'originalité. Sa versatilité et créativité se reflètent dans la variété de modèles et personnalisation qu'il propose à sa clientèle et il travaille à développer la visibilité de sa marque en assistant à nombre d'évènements, foires-expos et en bénéficiant des concepts de boutiques éphémères. Il sera au Grand Littoral à Marseille fin 2015 par le biais des apprentis d'Auteuil et tiendra une autre boutique éphémère rue Vacon dans le 1er arrondissement de Marseille à partir de l'été 2016 jusqu'à l'été 2017.

Actuellement, OZAS travaille à sa gamme pirates qu'il sort tous les 9 jours.. un clin d'oeil humoriste reprenant les supports visuels de marques telles que LEVIS, FILA afin de retranscrire quelque chose d'original. Voir les photos ci-dessous:

Pour plus d'infos sur OZAS, continuez à lire:

Série Pirate Les Vices d'OZAS

Donc au delà de sa boutique, OZAS est aussi pédagogue, meneurs d'ateliers dans lesquels ils enseignent les techniques de graffitis et de sérigraphie aux grands et aux petits..et qui sont grandement appréciés.

Pour plus d'infos sur OZAS, continuez à lire ci-dessous

Ateliers de personnalisation de baskets et graff d'OZAS

Ateliers de personnalisation de baskets et graff d'OZAS

OZAS est aussi à l'initiative de l'association "Fais moi découvrir" par le biais de laquelle il organise des expos et soirées/journées à thème. D'ailleurs, OZAS travaille actuellement sur un projet visuel de transformation et noircissement de personnes blanches, qui exprime sa volonté et désir de voir un art visuel qui est plus représentatif de sa communauté.

On peut dire qu'OZAS veut partager son savoir, être un déclencheur, faire scintiller une étincelle autour de lui. OZAS concluera notre interview avec les mots prononcés par Nelson Mandela lors de son investiture "en faisant scintiller notre lumière, nous offrons aux autres la possibilité d'en faire autant", paroles inspirées du poème de Marianne Williamson "Our Greatest Fear".

Ozas et Caro Sika rue de l'Arc à Marseille

Rhalis Cangou an artist painter specialised in African and Caribbean cosmogonies

June 18 2018 , Written by Caro Sika Published on #carosika, #art, #ujamaa, #artist, #afroculture, #2018, #rhaliscangou

1st canvas from the top:"Bamou" acrylique /châssis entoilé 60x70cm/ 02/03/2015 2nd Canvas from the top: "Racines-Nommo"acrylique/châssis entoilé 50x70cm/ 07/08/2015 3rd Canvas "kabèchaj" acrylique / technique mixte/60x82cm/ panneau de recup/ 24/03/2018

26.03.2018 Déboulé natirèl: acrylique/technique mixte 27x34,5cm

Rhalis tells me that his family name "Cangou", originates from the word Kongo, such as the Kingdom. As long as he can remember, Rhalis has always lived in an environment proud to teach about its origins. His father explained that they all came from the Congo. They immigrated to Guadeloupe when manpower was needed to take over from Africans who had been reduced to slavery, once slavery had become illegal in the French West Indies. Workers came mostly from the Congo, Senegal and Guinea.

Rhalis Cangou wondered about its origins since the age of 7 years. "Who am I? Where I come from and where I go? "Adult, it will remain his permanent quest of source of identity, both from the Caribbean and Africa, which he expresses through his art specializing in their cosmogonies. According to Rhalis Cangou, without culture, without identity, a human being is nothing. Its objective is therefore to speak through his paintings in retracing the triangular relationship between Mother Africa and its diasporas. This knowledge needs to be transmitted to our children and children's children as the transmission of the Afro Caribbean cultural heritage is increasingly threatened. He also seeks to enable young people, whatever their origins, to discover African cultures and Afro-Caribbean cultures, Africa being the cradle of humanity, through participative workshops.

Rhalis frequently exposes in PACA region such as for Bank of Afrika In 2012, Afrodizact Festival in 2013, a dojo for reo in 2015, art and cultural awareness in 2016 and more recently in Paris....

He is currently working on acquiring a pop up store with other artists residing in Marseille which will be dedicated to African and Afro-Caribbean Art.

To contact Rhalis Cangou, see the link below

To follow Rhalis Cangou and see more of his art, continue below:

À propos

"FAIRE PARLER L'AME DU DESSIN" ISSU DE LA DIASPORA AFRICAINE ..."AFRO-CARAIBEEN"MON OBJECTIF ENTRE AUTRE...EST DE FAIRE PARLER LE DESSIN...La PEINTURE ECT...PAR LE BIAIS DES COSMOGONIES AFRICAINE -

https://cangourhalis.wordpress.com/

Artiste peintre cangou rhalis rodrigue

Artiste peintre cangou rhalis rodrigue. 531 likes. ISSU DE LA DIASPORA AFRICAINE ..."AFRO-CARAIBEEN"MON OBJECTIF ENTRE AUTRE...EST DE FAIRE PARLER LE DESSIN...La PEINTURE ECT...PAR LE BIAIS DES...

https://www.facebook.com/Artiste-peintre-cangou-rhalis-rodrigue-142729195810311/

Rhalis Cangou with Caro Sika

RHALIS RODRIGUE CANGOU ARTISTE PEINTRE PLASTICIEN

June 14 2018 , Written by Caro Sika Published on #carosika, #art, #artiste, #ujamaa, #afroculture, #2018, #rhaliscangou

1ère toile en partant du haut:"Bamou" acrylique /châssis entoilé 60x70cm/ 02/03/2015 2ème toile en partant du haut: "Racines-Nommo"acrylique/châssis entoilé 50x70cm/ 07/08/2015 3ème toile "kabèchaj" acrylique / technique mixte/60x82cm/ panneau de recup/ 24/03/2018

26.03.2018 Déboulé natirèl: acrylique/technique mixte 27x34,5cm

Rhalis de nom patronymique « Cangou», qu’il aime rattacher à la racine du mot Kongo, tel le royaume, est artiste peintre plasticien. Depuis son enfance, son environnement et fabrique familiale lui ont toujours enseigné ses origines. Son père lui expliquait qu’ils venaient du Congo. Ils avaient fait le déplacement au temps où la main d’œuvre qui devait prendre la relève en Guadeloupe des personnes qui avaient été réduites à l’esclavage venaient majoritairement du Congo, du Sénégal, de Guinée.

Rhalis Cangou s’interroge sur ses origines depuis l’âge de 7 ans. « Qui suis-je ? D’où je viens et où je vais ? » Adulte, il restera dans cette quête permanente de source d’identité, tant caribéenne qu’africaine, ce qu’il exprime entre autre par son art s’inspirant et se spécialisant dans les cosmogonies africaines. Selon Rhalis Cangou sans culture, sans identité, un être humain n’est rien. Son objectif est donc de faire parler le dessin en retraçant notamment le parallèle existant entre l’Afrique mère et sa diaspora. Et c’est un code de valeurs qu’il transmet également à ses enfants et valorise car de nos jours, il estime que la transmission du patrimoine culturelle afro-caribéen est de plus en plus menacé. Il cherche également à permettre aux jeunes, quelque soit leurs origines de découvrir les cultures africaines et afro-caribéennes, l’Afrique étant le berceau de l’humanité, au travers, notamment, de chantiers participatifs.

Rhalis expose fréquemment en région PACA tel que pour Bank of Afrika en 2012, Festival Afrodizact en 2013, Un dojo pour Réo en 2015, Art et Conscience culturelle en 2016 et plus récemment à Paris....

Son projet en cours est d’occuper un espace éphémère ou permanent avec d’autres artistes résidant à Marseille qui sera dédié à l’art africain et afro-caribéen.

Pour contacter Rhalis Cangou, voir le lien ci-dessous

Pour suivre Rhalis Cangou et voir plus de son art, continuez ci-dessous