A Celebration of our Sons through Words and Images

OPENING ART RECEPTION

Saturday, July 21, 2012, 5pm - 8pm

A Celebration of our Sons through Words and Images is a group art exhibition by ten visual artists, inspired by author Kahlil Koromantee’s latest book release titled “Message to a Youngblood”, a guide book for young males of African descent, particularly those who society considers at risk. What began as an interest in the book’s illustrations by young artists eventually became a collective desire to not only showcase some of these amazing illustrations, but also invite established artists to share their own amazing images and interpretations of young males of African descent, capturing their determination, creativity, pride, originality, purpose and resilience.


“Young Black males in New York City are in a state of emergency. Unjust stop & frisks by police, warehousing in inner-city schools, and very few training and job opportunities are leading to increased crime and very little hope for many inner-city young men. We are bombarded with negative images and stories of young Black men in the media, so this art exhibition, which includes work by young Black male artists, is an attempt to control our own script, and present these men in a positive light for a change”, says exhibiting photographer Ocean Morisset.


The exhibition, a Celebration of our Sons through Words and Images opens on Saturday July 21, 2012 with an artist reception from 5pm-8pm at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Art gallery located on the 2nd floor at 163 West 125th street, east of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. The exhibition is on view through August 8th by appt. To schedule an appointment after the opening, contact the Curator, Gregory Mills at (212) 749-5298

Fashion Photographer, James Hicks on "Nomoredownlow.tv interview about his new book. Drag Doll, Dames & Divas

"Drag Dolls, Dames & Divas" will be a 200 page ,full color, coffee table book of female impersonators. The images range from fashion and beauty to amusing scenarios. This book celebrates and captures the great talents of female illusionists and their ability to transform from men to women. I feel this book will not only be appreciated by the LGBT community but will also be embraced by the masses.

Facebook: Drag Dolls, Dames & Divas

The Polaroid World of Gaga

I LOVE THIS GIRL!!!

We're not sure what Polaroid creative director Lady Gaga thinks of Polaroid's 300 camera, a chubby little device that was released late last year. And we're still waiting for the Gaga-branded camera that Polaroid promised when the partnership was unveiled at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show. So we were intrigued to see V magazine's gallery of Gaga-on-Polaroid pix, snapped by Gaga's creative director, Matthew Williams. Watch Gaga explain why she's working with the revived photography brand. Are you a Polaroid traditionalist?

Discover a Cool Blog - #5

Born in Saint Louis, Missouri and raised in Los Angeles, California, Ricky Day is an emerging artist who lives and works in Harlem, New York. His art practice includes painting, collage, photography and recorded music and releasing. He began incorporating video, installation and sculpture into his art practice.

“I often appropriate iconic imagery from canonical art movements and artists. I sometimes merge these histories with distinctly African-American cultural content and perspective. My intent is to expose the blindness of traditional art history and pop culture, while reflecting on the complexity and malleability of the African-American experience. The work is also an examination of the effects of the fear of change on art history, the African-American experience and society at large. I use photography, painting, collage, graphic-art, and other current technology to create my work. I feel that it is important to incorporate the tools of the time into my art practice because they too are characters in the story.” says Day

In addition to brisk sales of his work to private collectors, Ricky exhibited in multiple group shows in NYC; the Obama: Art and Politics at H & F Fine Arts Gallery in Mt. Ranier, Maryland January 15, 2009 – January 31, 2009; White Lies: Black Noise at Rush Arts Gallery November 14, 2009 – January 24, 2009; Art Gotham’s Square Foot Show June 7t through July 12, 2008; Night of 1000 Drawings at the Artists Space (2006/2007) in SoHo as well as the 2006 Harlem Open Artist Studio Tour and Reality Gallery at NY Studio Gallery (January 2008) and at Bus Boys and Poets in Washington DC (Jan/February 2008) was his first solo show.

Currently, Ricky Day as a blog called Urban Pop Life and is working on a portrait series called This is The Life which is an examination of the African-American Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. His photography series Beautiful Decay and American Photographer are set to be exhibited in late 2009.

Check out Urban Pop Life