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I have to start this feature by saying that pictures and computer screens do not do justice to ZAZA NOAH's paintings. The spirit cannot be captured in the one-dimensional realm, when each painting has so many dimensions, so many facets and interpretations.
A native of Cameroon, ZAZA spent half her childhood in France, studied Chinese calligraphy and Aboriginal art processes, and dwelt with the masters in Japan. More recently, she has lived in Bali and St. Barts, where she is currently building a school. It is this International conversation that informs her work - its myriad layers and spritual, psychic, and cultural underpinnings. Not unlike ancient Asian paintings, the artist incorporates calligraphy into her work - her unique brand, of course. She is ambidextrous (paints with both hands, simultaneously!), and her subjects - usually self, gods and goddesses, and loved-ones (like her beautiful daughters and musical counterpart, Paulo Coelho) - hover between the dream world and reality, revealing luminous encounters and intricate relationships between the real, the ideal, and the imagined.
ZAZA has has recently joined us in New York and exhibited thru April 16th @ L Gallery Studio. I apologize that I was unable to inform you sooner but, you can click HERE to get a taste of what you missed. Visit www.zazanoah.com to view more work and find out about upcoming exhibits. |
the works of za za noah - even her signature is art!
beauty surrounded by beauty - zaza, humbled by her gift
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Ruth Miller
What She Sees In Her Minds Eye
I had the opportunity to exhibit alongside Ruth Miller at an artHARLEM event last spring. When my daughter and I arrived for the occasion, we were given a listing of the art and prices. Just for kicks, we set out to find the most expensive piece of art on the list, made by Ruth Miller for a whopping $18,000. We wanted to see what would distinguish an $18,000 piece of art from the other forty some odd pieces on display across three floors. When we found it, we stood in front of it for a while and thought, "Well, this is a nice painting." It wasn't exceptionally large, and it was simply "nice." Although, there was certainly nothing bad to say about it, we could not find the $18,000 cause. So...we stood there for a moment longer, sipped our non-alcoholic beverages and became, more or less, disinterested. But, as we stood there, something happened: We began to notice the tiny stitches. This was NOT a painting at all!
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Ruth Miller "paints with wool" using embroidery to create gorgeous, life-like images. The results: PRICELESS!!! |
Trained in drawing and painting, Ruth traded her paintbrush in for the clean complexity of a sewing needle. She creates tapestries, in effect, with each stitch becoming a piece of a puzzle that will only later reveal itself. Focusing on African-American models, Ruth aims for beauty in every creation. Her personal challenge is to see if she can 'create what she sees in her mind's eye.' I'll dare say, "YES!"
Visit Ruth's web page HERE and be sure to visit her @ the 4th Annual Harlem Open Artist Studio Tour (HOAST) , October 4th & 5th, 2008
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A Rabbit Grows in Harlem
these beautiful photos were taken in Harlem, by xenobia bailey. |
What does it grow, you ask? It grows long, luxurious hair that Harlem resident, Twain Revell spins into beautiful sweaters - like the one she's wearing. Affectionately known as "The Rabbit Lady," Twain spins and sometimes dyes fur from her agreeable pal who, not only occupies his own bedroom in Twain's residence, but seems to enjoy his role as a co-creator.
Twain is able to knit about a half dozen Angora sweaters per year using the fur that her bunny produces; sweaters range from $250-$450. Truly a guardian of tradition, this industrious artist also makes mudcloth (a conventional African woven fabric), designs clothing, and teaches knitting and spinning classes.
Twain was featured in the Summer 2007 issue of Spin-Off Magazine, is teaching an all-day seminar on spinning at Newark Museum on July 18th, and organizing a trip to Africa in July 2009.
Visit www.twainstwines.com for more info. |
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museum visitors marvel at (re)possessed
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(RE) possessed at the Jersey City Museum
(RE)possessed is curated by and features the works of internationally renowned fiber artist, Xenobia Bailey. The exhibit runs thru August 24, 2008, and also includes works by chandelier artist Dorian Webb, et al.
Visit the Jersey City Museum site to find out more.
To keep up with this phenomenal artist, check out her blog @ http://xenba.blogspot.com |
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