As we all try to make sense of this constantly fluid global pandemic, I have been wrestling with my definition of control. As a writer, I take solace in working alone in my own environment and over the last two weeks our Raleigh apartment has doubled as a co-working space, as my husband has … Continue reading Dispatches from Quarantine, March 2020
Laissez le bon temps rouler! I’ve got New Orleans on my mind, so I thought I’d use today’s post to shine a light on the art that’s being made in the Crescent City today. Steeped in tradition, plagued by disaster and portrayed as a crown jewel of urban renewal, New Orleans is a multifaceted and deeply … Continue reading Artist a Day Challenge 2016-9: Brandan Odums & Noirlinians Usher in New Wave of Art in NOLA
In his current exhibition, “How to Hide in the Wind”, Yashua Klos uses collage and printmaking to transform abstracted pieces of printed paper into figurative profiles. His subjects take on a three dimensional quality as they physically emerge through wood blocks revealing one external image while concealing fragments of themselves left behind. This visual representation of code switching demonstrates … Continue reading Artist a Day Challenge 2016-6: Yashua Klos
TONDI’s first virtual exhibition Burn Baby Burn will take you into the work of Mark Bradford and Noah Purifoy who were each given large scale retrospectives at the Hammer and LACMA this summer. The virtual exhibition is anchored by two essays that probe into specific works found in each exhibit. In Scorched Earth we examine how … Continue reading Virtual Exhibition: Burn Baby Burn!
My new site is officially up! I’m excited about trying something new and I invite you all to continue to follow my journey into contemporary art on TONDI. I truly value all of my followers on WordPress and have learned so much from this first blog. Cheers to a new beginning! Continue reading New Site! TONDI
Mickalene Thomas has a unique style that is nothing short of bodacious. Her colorful, glitter infused portraiture work is commands your attention and invites you delve into a deeper understanding of the person that is being portrayed. Her use of interiors and recent pivot to abstract portraits were a mystery to me because I couldn’t connect the … Continue reading Artist a Day Challenge No. 26: Mickalene Thomas
There is something so oddly compelling about Charles Gaines work. The first time I saw one of his pieces, it was a beautiful piece seen from a distance. When I looked up close I was hit with a puzzle I still cannot figure out. Up close was a pixellated mass consisting of uniform squares containing numbers. I … Continue reading Artist a Day Challenge No. 21: Charles Gaines
“I AM DELIBERATE AND AFRAID OF NOTHING.”~ AUDRE LORDE “I’M A REBEL WITH A CAUSE”~NINA SIMONE The first time I heard “Four Women” by Nina Simone I got chills. To me, there are three important elements to storytelling in any form of artistic expression: 1. It immediately conveys and connects to raw emotion 2. It provides a subtle … Continue reading Artist a Day Challenge No. 7: Kenturah Davis
“Spiral Betty” by Alison Saar is such a great piece because I think it cuts to the essence of black women and our relationship with our hair; it is a never-ending journey. For some it is a struggle, for others a mask, and with the renaissance of the natural hair movement, many celebrate it. Our hair journey is … Continue reading Artist a Day Challenge No.3: Alison Saar
For Black History Month I will be highlighting African-American artists who inspire creativity and beauty as catalyst of thought, reflection and emotion. The challenge in these posts will be to select a single image that captures the essence of their work! With Gordon Parks it is hard to distill a lifetime of music, photography, and film direction into a single … Continue reading Artist a Day Challenge No. 2: Gordon Parks
Culture Shock Art 