When I first moved to Japan, I met mindtraining. She was also from WI and though at one point we had actually at one point attended the same high school, we didn't meet until Tokyo. She ended up being stationed about an hour away from me in a slightly bigger town halfway to Osaka. I began to spend weekends at her sparsly furnished place. She had 1 futon, 2 Tibetan prayer mats, a lamp, a radio, a rice cooker and a lot of art supplies. So as she was making the rice and some amazing veggie curry, I would sit on the mat and just make stuff. It wasn't technical. I wasn't trying to imitate anyone else's style or to convey some deep and meaningful politcal message. I simply liked to make pretty pictures. It was cathartic. After spending the majority of my days teaching or just trying to figure out what the hell was going on between all the unspoken subtle nuances in Japanese society, it was peaceful and healing to simply sit and commune with myself.
That's all it ever was, just something fun and relaxing...the opportunity to make something beautiful. I started using canvas because I am notoriously hard on everything I own and my paper creations were getting ripped and falling apart. So how do I say that and still sound like a serious artist? Well this is what I have so far. Editorial feedback is welcome.
Bio:
The Afro-feminist Samurai grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. As soon as she was able to legally do so, she moved away. Her first stop was Seattle, which has become the home base for her many travels. Afro is an international educator and has spent several years abroad, living in Japan, Chile, and Spain. Her experiences abroad have been a catalyst for her work and are also reflected in her style, use of materials, and choice of subject matter. She is a self taught painter. She first began painting, not to sell or even for the purpose of sharing with others, but as a meditation. Her portfolio to date consists of a variety of themed works such as cityscapes, butterflies, self portraits, Day of the Dead scenes, and landscapes, done on canvas with acrylic and mixed media.
Artist Statement:
I paint because I love it. My paintings are vibrant abstract self portraits, done on canvas with multi-media. I first began painting and creating collages during the two years I spent living and teaching in Japan. It was a time when I was often frustrated by my inability to communicate. My art became both a refuge and a venue for self expression and at times I was able to use it as point of connection between me and my coworkers. I find creating art to be both healing, and deeply powerful.
Though I began by making greeting cards and multi-media paper collages, I have since transitioned into working on canvas because it is infinitely more durable. I especially enjoy playing with textures and using bright colors and glitter. My paintings are eye candy; fun and interesting, sometimes thought provoking, or sometimes simply beautiful. They are a reflection of who I am, how I feel, where I’ve been, and where I’m headed. My cityscapes and butterflies are just as much self-portraits as my afro sporting women.
Shows:
January 3, 2009. C.A.R.A. – Communities Against Rape and Abuse fundraiser. The Hidmo. Seattle, WA
November 7, 2008. Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead show. Phinney Center Gallery. Seattle, WA.
July 2, 2008. Wallingford First Wednesdays. Alliance Chiropractic. Seattle, WA.
1 comment:
...I miss those times, the hours went by without count.So many journeys were crossed.
As for the artist statement, I feel more should be spent on intellectualizing the themes of the paintings. Also didn't your trip to Africa inspire your art in any way?
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