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
BROOKLYN < PHILADELPHIA
My very slow breakup with NYC. Well I’m happy to report that contrary to the beliefs of many, NYC is not the center of the universe. For a solid decade I have been wonderfully embraced by the big dirty apple, but in the realm of growth I’ve decided that I need more space both figuratively and literally. So I made the big huge little leap and have moved Junkprints to Philadelphia! Yep, Yep, sorry NY, sometimes you just have to ditch a bitch. Living in New York has become somewhat like dating a celebrity, it’s fun exciting, glamorous and kinda makes you seem ‘big time’ On the flip side you are constantly questioning your relation to the relationship.
That being said…it is a slow breakup and I still spend about half of my time in NYC (maybe even more than that), on sets styling for all your fave mags and brands.
So now let’s talk about all the great stuff that Philly has to offer. SPACE! The home of junkprints is in a lovely loft space smack dab in the Philly proper. Folks are generally not complaining as much about rents, you’d be surprised how much head space talking about and dealing with gentrification takes up in NYC. Yo! there is some incredible art coming out of this city, it’s amazing what folks come up with when they have room to take risks and experiment.
Speaking of incredible art. I’m thrilled to announce that I am working on a new Series of Art Called Explorations in Nude. Yep ART!!!!!
The Race Card
Alrighty! Welcome to America! You may have noticed, particularly if you are a person of color, that this nation is obsessed with RACE, and using it in some form to divide folks. In fact things have gotten so out of control that seemingly smart people made up terms such as ‘The Race Card.’ It’s a term usually used when one person is pointing out, that due to racism, a particular imbalance or inequality is experienced. The other person who doesn’t want to acknowledge that, then says that the person is simply ‘using the Race Card’…as if it’s a Visa in the back pockets of jeans waiting to be used to pay for a win in a debate. So, me being the vigilante of social justice that I am, have taken the liberty of making and printing these nifty Race Cards, to remind folks how silly that concept is. You may have seen them. They have been making their way into coffee shops bookstores and counters all across the U.S. In the case that you have not yet come across them you can order them from junkprints.
by Chanel Kennebrew/Junkprints
I AM…
I’ve been doing some research and there are many religious and spiritual connections to ‘I am’. It is such a powerful self declaration. So I figured instead of battling what we are not, let’s start to declare what we are and look at the complexities and simplicity of what we are. This is a participatory piece. In the form of posters and post cards. I’ve been sprinkling them along my recent travels through the southern U.S. and Central America. If you would like to receive some here’s a link.
Bible/Torah Use: I Am that I Am (אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה, ehyeh ašer ehyeh [ehˈje aˈʃer ehˈje]) is the common English translation of the response God used in the Hebrew Bible when Mosesasked for his name (Exodus 3:14). It is one of the most famous verses in the Torah. Hayah means “existed” or “was” in Hebrew; “ehyeh” is the first person singular imperfect form and is usually translated in English Bibles as “I will be” (or “I shall be”), for example, at Exodus 3:14. Ehyeh asher ehyeh literally translates as “I Will Be What I Will Be”, with attendant theological and mystical implications in Jewish tradition. However, in most English Bibles, in particular the King James Version, the phrase is rendered as I am that I am.
So Hum Mantra: So Hum is an ancient Sanskrit mantra meaning “I am that,” which represents the connectedness of all beings. It is a powerful mantra used in meditation on the inhalation and exhalation of the breath. So HumYoga was created with the intention for the practitioner to gain mind and body awareness of him or herself.
Civil Rights Use: Historically, in countries such as the U.S. and South Africa, the term “boy” was used as a pejorative racist insult towards men of color and slaves, indicating their subservient social status of being less than men. In response, Am I Not A Man And A Brother? became a catchphrase used by British and American abolitionists. In 1787, Josiah Wedgwood designed a medallion for the British anti-slavery campaign. He copied the original design from the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade as a cameo in black-and-white. It was widely reproduced and became a popular fashion statement promoting justice, humanity and freedom
Rastafarian: I and I (also spelled I&I, InI, or Ihi yahnh Ihi) is a complex term, referring to the oneness of Jah (God) and every human. Rastafari scholar E. E. Cashmore: “I and I is an expression to totalize the concept of oneness. ‘I and I’ as being the oneness of two persons. So God is within all of us and we’re one people in fact. I and I means that God is within all men. The bond of Ras Tafari is the bond of God, of man.” The term is often used in place of “you and I” or “we” among Rastafari, implying that both persons are united under the love of Jah. Also in the Twi language (in which patois uses a lot of Twi loan words) of Ghana, Me ne me is also said, which literally translate to “I and I”.
New Space renovation Win/Fail
THE FAIL: The internet lies. You have been warned. Over the holiday season my dad (@kennebrew) and I took a stab at building a wood and pipe table. It was a fail and I ended doing an ikea hack. I’m not gonna lie when I moved into this place I was pretty determined not to fill it up with ikea shit, but unfortunately it’s looking a lot like dude from fight club’s crib. The table, that’s the last big thing….okay? ok.
THE WIN: I’m super excited about this new space. So excited that I decided to give the bathroom a complete makeover including laying a penny floor…oh and that dragon jumper is my new work uniform.
SHOP IN PERSON MAY 31st.
If you find your self in the NYC on May 31st, be sure to come visit me at the Ladies Love pop Up shop, from Noon-8p Located at
273 Bowery @ Houston st, NY, NY. I’ll be there all day with the new collection along some of the most innovative inspiring makers that I know.
P.S. Most of the new stuff including the pants are unisexed sized, for all my fave dudes and Junk Princes.
The following is the press release for the event.
PRESENTS:
SPRING 2014 POP-UP SHOP!
Shopping Event Showcases the Freshest Fashion, Homemade Decor, Independent Artists, Local Flavors + more at the Houston Street Center!
NEW YORK, NY April 11, 2014 — On Saturday, May 31st, 2014, the LADIES LOVE PROJECT presents its seventh POP-UP SHOP! – to be held at Houston Street Center from 12pm – 8pm.
At the intersection of LES museums, storefronts, schools and busy sidewalks – LLP is ecstatic to once again bring its 2014 Spring POP-UP Art Market to the masses! We invite you to come out, welcome the new season with our favorite taste-makers and new up + coming artistans – all ready to meet your life’s style needs!
The Ladies Love Project, a brainchild of renowned street artist TOOFLY, sound sensation Circa95’ duo, Patty Dukes & Rephstar and creative non-profit aficionado A.Mari, brings NYC’s most creative underground artists and designers right to YOU. Our one-day-only events allow for an intimate, yet energetic market shopping experience – designed to familiarize consumers, media representatives and trendsetters with artists currently celebrating prominence.
LLP promises that this springs art menu will please folks from all walks of life – whether you’re new to the shop or not! Into the environment like BESOS NOT BOMBS who specialize in recycled gear; love staying/being young with toys by MARKA 27; want to peep new styles from EDWIN SOTO for you or your boo; or, want to pull up a chair and relax while EL SALONSITO touches up your nails? We got you covered!
Remember your favorite bracelet, canvas or tee from our last shop and want more? We can’t wait to see you and neither can our vet vendors like VANILLA MEDALLIONS, JUNKPRINTS, LIl EGO / LIL DIVA and WONDER LEE – among others!
Worried about being hungry or thirsty? Don’t sweat it! Cupcakes by Jenny Kinns, Martha’s Kitchen & LLP will have plenty of sweet, savory and palate satisfying treats for you, fam and friends all day!
Circa ’95’s RephStar, DJ Enygma, and DJ Polarity will tag team on the 1’s and 2’s for non stop jams all day. A live broadcast of the event will be streamed at www.Circa95.com and will feature a performance showcase by Aurora Barnes – NYC based singer/songwriter/actress siren whose debut EP ‘Fair Game,’ is about to drop – and Rhyme Factory – the grassroots MC cypher that’s all about spreading Hip Hop.
From start to end, our official event photographer, Samantha Morales, will be sure not to miss taking the best candids of all our amazing market-goers, so get ready to put that hot selfie face on! We’d love to see you, so before you end your SHOP experiencer, definitely stop by the LLP Fam Table for LOVEswag and enter a chance to win an official LLP Tote with surprise SHOP gifts from a variety of our vendors!
Our LLP spring event venue, Houston Street Center at 273 Bowery, is a community arts and culture event space, plays host to the eclectic mix of talent. LLP is honored to again be partnering with this NYC cultural cornerstone, as the shop prides itself in exposing both new and established artists.
Art on canvas, handmade goods, jewelry, t-shirts, graffiti, live music—you name it— the LADIES LOVE PROJECT SPRING POP-UP SHOP doesn’t get any more New York than this! We want to rock with YOU – so join us at the SHOP on 5/31/14!!
“Having the LADIES LOVE PROJECT POP-UP SHOP in the heart of the lower east side is a perfect fit,” says Patty Dukes and Rephstar of Circa 95’. “All of the vendors have styles that honor old New York, yet each demonstrates a unique progression with great, must-have niche items.”
“This shop is going to be our best edition of the shop yet! We are thrilled to be back at HSC and are ready to bring in springtime with artists we know & love and newcomers we can’t wait to bring to you!” – A.Mari
WOMEN’S WORK opening this friday
In celebration of Women’s History Month and beyond, The LeRoy Neiman Art Center presents WOMEN’S WORK – an exhibition highlighting the work of ten New York artists:
Amber Doe, Beatrice Lebreton, Chanel Kennebrew, Kathleen Granados, Monique Schubert, Myrah Brown Green, Nancy Elsamanoudi, Valerie Deas, Wilhemina Grant and Xia Gordon.
Their backgrounds, experiences and media vary widely; they are emerging, mid-career and established; they are self-taught and academic, and; their perspectives on the world around them are many. Each, through her art, however, has a personal message to share and WOMEN’S WORK brings these imaginative stories, and distinct personalities, together to convey the breadth of their experiences and perspectives on life.
Key dates include:
• Opening Reception: Friday, March 14, 2014 | 6-9pm
• Artist Talk: Saturday, March 29, 2014 | 4-6pm
• Exhibition Dates: March 11, 2014 – April 26, 2014
Black Artstory Month 2014: Native Sons and Daughters Opening Reception Feb. 1st 8p-10p,
Black Artstory Month 2014: Native Sons and Daughters Feb. 1st-28th
Opening Reception Feb. 1st 8p-10p, The Emerson 561 Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn, NY
Black Artstory month celebrates the enduring influences and contributions made by African Americans within the visual and performing arts world. I am honored to have works included in two locations for this exhibition.
The Emerson 561 Myrtle Avenue
The Emerson 561 Myrtle Avenue
Dee and Rickys 503 Myrtle Ave
Black Future Month Exhibition Feb. 1st
BLACK FUTURE MONTH 3014 at Feb. 1st-28th
The 1st of its kind in Toronto, its a Group Art Exhibition centered around Afrofuturism. Several artist taking a creative look into our distant future.
Check out the opening:
BLACK FUTURE MONTH 3014 at Feb. 1st-28th
Opening Reception Feb. 1st 6p-11p, Daniels Spectrum: 585 Dundas St East, Toronto, ON
Fore More info check out the facebook page
The NYC Future Project!
I’m thrilled to announce a new project I’m working on. It’s called the NYC Future project. It’s a mobile photobooth project. I’m shooting a series of portraits and asking folks to write down one word that they feel embodies NYC 25 Years into the future. Here’s a sneak peak into what I have so far. This is an ongoing project be sure to follow me on twitter//instagram//facebook//tumblr for updates of where I’ll be shooting across NYC.#nycfutureproject
The project site is live but in a beta stage. Here’s link
