My relationship with making commercial goods is well...turbulent to say the least. From around 2007-2013 i made thousands of garments, bags and accessories. During that time I create some #magic...but it was extremely unsustainable. My line had a gazillion skus, that required photography and marketing. I was doing custom orders and vending markets practically every weekend. Basically i was making every single idea that popped in my head and folks were definatly responding to the explosion of 'things' i was featured in the NY Times, The Post and tons of blogs. I did collaborative projects with Nickelodeon and Birkenstocks. I even had a studio that was sponsored by the founder of etsy. Honestly I was horrible at running that business. I didn't start 'making' to manage people and was really bad at delegating. Running a company that generates goods and requires space in a quickly gentrifying NYC is just not the best practice. Especially when you have an upcycling process that requires random deconstruction. I often found my self barely making ends meet, shuffling from one studio space to another pretty much right after i got things set up. I burnt out and was frustrated.
So I decided to take a break get real with money and create a tactile service practice. Not quite sure what it was going to be but I knew I didn't want to sit behind a computer all day. That was around the time i started doing still life and prop styling. Hell, if i can make a bag i can certainly make a bag look good. In the mean time i saved my monies did some investing, studied the history and current state of economics and how that applied to my life. I developed regular yoga practice and decided to fill in the pieces that I felt were lacking...the boring stuff...the stuff 'i wasn't good at'.I always have creative ideas. I wake up with my mind swarming sometimes hurting with all the possibilities...but financial management might as well had been the language of starfish and that was really weighing me down. I learned so much about global markets, manufacturing economics, economies of services vs goods and fast fashion. I learned why 'making things look good' provides a better income than actually 'making things'. I learned to set up a better foundation... and give a business financial wiggle room. I learned that i was using goods a catalyst for my art because at the time i didn't know folks who bought art or how to go about creating art in public spaces...but i knew folks who buy sneakers and clothes. I also learned that was selling myself short and needed better boundaries.
Styling came easy to me. It's a solution based occupation and I was very much in the practice of figuring out solutions. In some ways many shoots allowed me to be in my head. It was quite meditative. I have an awesome diverse creative clientele and work with some of the most talented photographers. Things are shifting as they always do. I'm making again but stuff that can be enjoyed my many vs worn by few. My creative practice is a lot less stresssed and it seems the universe is welcoming me in that direction on the form of shows, art sales, opportunities etc. Can't wait to see what's down this rabbit hole.
Welancora Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of new works by Chanel Kennebrew. This most recent body of work demonstrates Kennebrew’s expert ability to stylize and compose an image in order to tell a story and bring awareness to an issue. The exhibition will be on view from June 10 to August 13, 2017 at 33 Herkimer Street.
This series by Chanel Kennebrew is a cunning exploration of shattering, revealing, exposing, questioning and colliding for the sake of creation. The work seeks to investigate the realities and possibilities of technology, of modern communication and ideas of representation. #ElectricRainbowDaydreams is a collection of vibrant imagery composed and stylized by an artist in a constant state of making. Kennebrew is a multi-disciplinary, commercial, graphic design and fine artist. Each craft has a role in her work. The essence of this series is that of a socio-cultural, political meditation channeling the pensive and the carefree. It’s a creative exegesis of color, playful objects and the spirit of joy.The technological surge of the 21st century has awarded us the means to share and communicate in ways only science fiction could have previously imagined. Kennebrew engages this phenomenon by superimposing electronic objects such as stereos, televisions and recorders with human body parts and figures. The bodies are carefree; in motion, leaping, dancing and jumping. With sharp wit, Kennebrew incorporates glops and splashes of paint in the steps of these figures to indicate the looming hazard our electronic tools impart on communication. She questions the impact of the sleek and well-advanced smartphone that bundles all past electronics into one. This new mode of communication and its applications, especially regarding social media has forever transformed human engagement. These devices and ‘apps’ have replaced or obstructed our view of each other and have also deteriorated and enmired actual connecting and understanding.The rainbow of color in Kennebrew’s work, acts as both a signature and visual guide. It serves as a strategic marker for viewers to focus attention on specific elements of her compositions. The color, be it dripping down the picture plane or sprayed in the background, triggers an emotional response. With her sculpture, she paints and assembles fun vintage objects and toys of the same or similar color, creating a cohesive composition. The objects are transformed by color but maintain their integrity as cool, play things from a nostalgic past. Fantasy and imagining animate this series. Layers of color and texture distort time and space. Bodies are in motion, inhabiting impossible spheres. Singular mouths grip rotary telephones, upside-down, bodiless heads blossom into a spectrum of vivid balloons. Beautiful brown girls tower over incredible landscapes. Past, present and future merge in a distorted but tangible daydream. Each piece, whether whispering or booming, a unique but unified message to ‘stay woke’, to pay attention to each other beyond our digital selves. The work warns us to connect with integrity and intention, to be wary of the potential haphazard messiness of our new technology. #ElectricRainbowDaydream is a lesson and a celebration. The series invokes the passion of the artist but also aims to connect her questions and experiences to that of the viewer. It harbors joy and wonderment in concert with a subtle warning. It’s loud with color; it’s a remix, a throwback, but also a guide. It expresses fortitude and a genuine interest in the politics of freedom. This series reminds us to recall and retain the spirit of our authentic voice. - Daricia Mia DeMarr
Holy Moly!! This month has been crazies. Yer girl just wrapped up gift guide styling for People StyleWatch, Essence Magazine (I'm soooo antsy to spill the beans about this one, I'll have to wait til it's on the shelf). I even squeezed in some propping jobs for Travel and Leisure, Brides Mag and Nine West! wowswers. This lil maker is pooped....buuut not that pooped.
Crash: 20” x 20” Mixed Media 3D Analog Collage, Ink hand Cut Paper and PhotographyJUNKPRINTS + PYRAMID HILL MUSEUM
Next week my very first museum show opens in Ohio at the Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park Museum in Hamilton. Look ma, a freaking Museum! I'm thrilled, honored and humbled to be sharing Explorations In Nude with fine folks of Ohio. The show will be on display October 21st – November 12th, 2016
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum in Ohio. The show open October 21st 2016. 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road,State Route 128,Hamilton, Ohio 45013
Here's a link to the deets.
ART PRINTS!
Since the Brooklyn exhibition of Explorations In Nude folks expressed interest in print from the series. I struggled with producing prints for this series because I wanted to make sure that I didn't short change the originals. Most artwork is experiences in some form of reproduction and in some ways that is great because it makes it more accessible but in the case of 3D work it's can be a bit problematic. This series plays a lot with shadow and I was concerned that the 3d element would get lost in reproductions. So I kind of shelved the idea of prints until I had the amazing opportunity to partner with TWYLA. We meticulously worked together to ensure that the integrity of each piece is well represented in these limited edition prints. Six junkprints pieces including Studded as well as The Goo Inside from the Explorations in Nude series are now available in certified numbered limited editions. These can be purchases directly through TWYLAStudded 46″ X 20″ / Black Museum Frame Limited edition TWYLA printBK35 CANADA LOVE
Squad Love. My team over at Brooklyn35 collective and I will be heading to Canada to celebrate the release of the La la la video. I co-directed this video along with Tough Dumplin. Ya'll know I love me some Canada, specifically Toronto. I'm especially feeling the love given that I currently reside in a nation that has a presidential candidate that is into 'pussy grabbing' and a police force that is hell bent on executing Black folks. Given all of that I'm excited to be supporting the collective, sharing work, getting up with my Kitchener and Toronto folks. Mark your calendar 11/12 it's going down. McCabe's Irish Pub Kitchener 352 King St. West, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1B7. See the facebook page to rsvp and for more deetsSHOP IN PERSON
Shop Junkprints. I know this is the part that ya'll been waiting for. I'm participating in a Holiday Pop Up shop along with the ladies Love project crew! Just in time for the holidays. I'll be releasing some new items in the athletic wear. More on that later. For now please hold the date. The event will be taking place in the Lower East Side, NY, NY on Saturday Nov. 26th
PHILADELPHIA ARTS MURAL
I was selected to participate in Philadelphia Arts Mural Training program. Guess who will be sharpening up those skills and throwing color all over some walls? Me 🙂 Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives. Can't wait to dive deep into this and get some community based larger scale projects under my belt.
Let me tell ya a little story about this video. So last Christmas Tough Dumplin, my sister and I set out to make a video for the Brooklyn35 song 'So Alive' We spent the whole day in the Philly loft playing with light, wardrobe, set ups, concepts and various cameras we rented for the project. Everything looks so forced and stupid and kaa kaa. We were just beat, having fun laughing at ourselves, but overall beat. I had purchased matching dinosaur jumpers for all of us and some how we ended up doing a spoof video of Drake's Hotline bling with our goofy choreography..I honestly cannot find that video. Tough Dumplin swears I have it...I swear he has it...who knows. Then it hit us. Let's just go outside. The day and evening were un-seasonally warm...like just a hoodie weather on Dec. 25th crazy huh?! This is what we ended up with. I love it and I hope you do too.
Thanks to The fam over at Fokus. My Piece "Puke" is featured on the cover of Insight Magazine
Here's a bit about the publication:INSIGHT magazine is based on the concept that we often look to art to define past civilizations. In turn, we provide insight into the artists who are shaping our culture through their work today. We provide insight into the worlds of actors, musicians, designers, fine artists, emerging artists and those who do not immediately come to mind when thinking about the arts/artists, such as culinary artists and industrial designers. INSIGHT magazine is published quarterly.
Also I'm super excited to announce that Puke is being featured on trash cans through out downtown Brooklyn
junk on trash! junk on trash! junk on trash!
You can catch one on Fulton Street in from of the Macy's and the other on Court St. and Schermerhorn
Did I tell ya'll? I'M HAVING A GOOD OL FASHION HOUSE PARTY!
Tristan Tough Dumplin, Paul Liatsis, Dana Athens and I are throwing a party? It's a house party and I would absolutely love if you came by.
So what's the celebration about you ask? Well,
Ahhh it's the end of summer....Let's dance
I worked on a video that got into a film festival and we will show you at the party...so you can dance
My sister is gonna make waffles all night long and we will have a katrillion toppings...in case you get hungry while you are dancing
It's this Saturday. Please come through... and let me know if you can make it and how deep you are rollin'
rsvp on the fb page
DEETS:
BROOKLYN35 HOUSE PARTY/ VIDEO RELEASE
Come & Party/Celebrate the BROOKLYN35 New Music
"Just In Love For the Summer"
Release in the "Coney Island Film Festival" & on "BROOKLYN35.COM"
Saturday September 17 2016
@VESPA-LOUNGE
999 Halsey Street, Brooklyn, NY 11207
8pm
DJ SCRATCHY D & TOUGH DUMPLIN on the ONES & TWOS
Why an athletic line? The primary thematic focus of Explorations in nude is perspective. I think that the main reason for societal disconnect be it in the form or racism, sexism, classism, ageism and or homophobia is due to very warped perspectives and lack or connectivity through empathy. I’m committed to self awareness. Rules, boundaries, lines and groups are all constructs. I’m interested in deconstructing the constructs that don’t work. I know that’s super broad, here’s an example. I’ve been a vegetarian for about 16 years. I initially took a break from meat because I was kinda grossed out. I found my self in the supermarket in my late teens staring at the ground beef thinking this could be anything…it could be human flesh for all I know. That lead me on a super journey into food, health, origins, cultural relevance and symbolism. One of the wonderful things about agency is the ability to make choices. I value that, My ancestors have worked so hard to ensure that for me. If i know I have to eat and I have a choice of what to put into my own body and how to move my own body, I’m going to exercise that privilege…for myself, for the ancestors and for health of the future. I’m going to celebrate that privilege by eating clean, being mindful, practicing yoga and getting sleep. Don’t get me wrong there is a wonderful beauty in perseverance. You know making lemonade, chitlins eating parts, ie cows foot, goats tail etc. Perseverance is the co-founder of hip-hop, jazz, soul food…black in America. wonderful things come out of perseverance. I’m interested in what’s in beyond perseverance. What’s beyond surviving? perhaps thriving, connectedness, understanding, fearlessness. Let’s do away with validation. Let’s unapologetically be the very strongest individuals, making up the strongest community. No more asking permission. If being fly inspires you to work out, be bold, live your truth, love yourself, be healthy, be active, and eat well etc, I’d like to support that journey. I’ve created textile patterns inspired from the art series. Pictured is ‘Between The Lines’ reversible sports bra and shorts
Enjoy this latest manifestation of creativity…and get moving.
Sacred Brooklyn has been holding me down over last few years. This dynamic yoga/dance studio is a pillar of community. I’m super thrilled to announce that they will be carrying the new collection along with some other Junkprints goodies. This new collection features original textile prints from my art Series Explorations In Nude. Roll through take a class or two or three and shop the new collection.
The pop up will take place at SacredYoga Studio, 197 Clifton Pl Brooklyn, New York, 11205
Visit Sacredbrooklyn.com for class schedule and hours
Friday May 13th – Sunday May 15th: Pop-up festivities and artist talk for Explorations In Nude, will be held at 5 Central Ave, Brooklyn NY 11206. The concept behind these events is a performance driven display of the artist’s work using emotions, inspirations and community connections. Events include live performances, a video screening, community yoga class, and a fundraising evening with chef prepared vegan dinner - proceeds will be donated to Black Lives Matter.Explorations in Nude is Chanel Kennebrew’s first solo exhibit. In this new work, she attempts to shake off assigned categories and invites us to explore the different definitions and associations of the term nude. In Kennebrew's opinion, society hides behind -isms (racism, colorism, normalism, conformism, westernism etc) and uses them to neatly organize and categorize practices, ideologies, and movements. Explorations in Nude is the articulation of Kennebrew’s deep dive into that world of isms. Using mixed-media, illustrations, photography, hand-cut paper, wood, paint, ink and installations, Kennebrew dissects, defaces, layers and crassly tacks on foreign elements to chisel away at society's history, power, trends and language. By exposing the layers, she clears a path to imagine, design and build a better futuristic representation of a transparent new world socially aware.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Conjunction (Friday May 13th, 2016) - A screening of a video project by Chanel Kennebrew and Brooklyn35. Followed by live performances. RSVP required. Please note - limited display of Explorations in Nude at this event. To see the full exhibit visit the Brooklyn35 and Junkprints pop-up space on Saturday and Sunday. Doors open at 6pm
Concordance (Saturday May 14th, 2016) - Find your at-oneness in a free community yoga class held in the environment of Explorations in Nude. Led by Tara Sponsored by WTRMLN WTR - RSVP for Class at 10am. Exhibit open to yogis at 9:45am and to public 11am - 7pm
Communion (Sunday May 15th, 2016) - An intimate dinner party and artist talk hosted by curators Jen Joyce Davis and Hana Elkhazin. Plant-based fare prepared by Chef Joanna Jeros. RSVP and donation required. 100% of proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Black Lives Matter. Exhibit open to public 11am - 5pm
CHANEL KENNEBREW (b.1982, Inglewood, CA) is a Brooklyn/Philadelphia based mixed media artist and prop stylist. Kennebrew holds a B.F.A. from Ryerson University and has also studied at New York School of Visual Arts and Ontario College of Art and Design. She has exhibited her work at The Leroy Neiman Gallery, Westwood Gallery, i-20 Gallery, WNYC Radio’s Green Space, Rush Gallery, Andeken Gallery, SXSW and the Manifest Hope Art for Obama Democratic Convention Gallery Exhibition. She has done site-specific installation work at Etsy’s HQ, Publicis and branded art projects for Nickelodeon, Birkenstock, Pepsi, and Macy’s. In 2013 she won first place entry in Curate NYC. Her art has been featured and written about in the New York Times, The New York Post, Gawker and The Wall Street Journal. She has spoken on panels for The Asian Art’s Alliance, Corridor Gallery, The Black Future Project (Toronto), NYFA, and Craft Magazine. Kennebrew is a contributing prop stylist for InStyle Magazine, People StyleWatch Magazine, Travel + Leisure, Real Simple Magazine, Essence Magazine and Ebony Magazine.About Brooklyn35BROOKLYN35 is a progressive collective of musicians, singers, emcees, Dj’s, producers and visual artists who, instead of being pigeon-holed by the hip-hop genre, hang their hat on versatility. Brooklyn35 has a diverse collective of various styles, including Jazz, Reggae, RnB, Soul, and Dance. The collective’s process is in the vein of classic Motown. All aspects are collaborative from the song writing to the production. Most of our songs are created in a jam session environment. This process ensures that the music is clever spontaneous and unique.
Tara Purnell is a Washington, DC-native, brought to Brooklyn by magic and good fortune. She took her first yoga class as a student of media and marketing at University of Pennsylvania and fell in love. Yoga and transcendental mediation practices continued to ground her work as a multimedia producer and grant writer for youth, arts, education and wellness. With a compassionate spirit and a zest for life, Tara has dedicated her life to celebrating wellness and mindfully meditative arts –empowering people to feel better in their bodies and express their humanity.
About WTRMLN WTRWTRMLN WTR™ is a great tasting, all natural cold-pressed watermelon water that hydrates and rejuvenates. Every bottle is packed with electrolytes (6x the leading artificial sports drink) and L Citrulline for workout recovery, plus nutrients and antioxidants from vitamin c and lycopene. With no added sugar or water and only watermelon flesh, watermelon rind + organic lemon, WTRMLN WTR is a pure and delicious way to stay hydrated.
About Joanna JerosJoanna Jeros is a New York City-based vegan chef and activist working at the ACLU. Having worked in the non-profit sector fighting for social justice for the last ten years, Joanna believes that working to support health through plant-based cooking is a natural extension of her passion for positively contributing to the world. She is a graduate of Hunter College and Ann Wigmore’s Living Foods Lifestyle course.
I kinda snuck and did a group show in Brooklyn. It's currently up at Welancora Gallery. This group show is entitled 'HerStory'. It's a partnership with the Center for Arts and Culture Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. I'm super excited to announce that my wwork not only sold out on opening night but was also featured in Monday's AM NEW YORK. The show will be up until June 18th
