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.
How you see it and how I see it
Yesterday I met up with a long time friend and Brooklyn business owner and a commercial real estate developer pal. My friend is looking into expanding his business in Philly so I tagged along with them to scope out neighborhoods talk to other business owners and get a general feel of Philadelphia. We had some pretty interesting conversations regarding gentrification, the inevitable boring cloud that will roll over nyc due to pricing out creatives, and we also talked about our various view on what the future holds as far as urban development.
If you ever want to really get the lowdown on what’s to come in your neighborhood, make friends with a real estate developer and members of city council. So much of the conversations about what will be allowed to go where are are determined by those two entities…with supposed input from the community residents. The part that was so startling to me about many of the views of the developer was how much money and aquisition of it seemed to be a primarily concern. For examples, the proposed plan to build a gated high rise luxury apartment building in an area of row houses. The community was completely against it. The developer was for it stating that by bring in higher earning residents the city could have more tax revenue. My concern is that property taxes are done based on average area incomes so that would inevitably push out old tenants by the tax increase. He argued that the schools and public facilities, such as parks would get more funding from that and get better…but better for whom? My concern was primarily for the residents that currently live in the neighborhood not the rich ones he hoped to invite. I understand that change is inevitable and cities are constantly in a state of flux. One thing that became very apparent in that conversation is that there is a huge gap in perspective in how residents view where they live and developers view that same region. I truely feel that most folks just want a decent roof over their head in a safe and neighborhoor. There are so many people in the business of shaping what that means to potential buyers, often done in a way that doesn’t support diversity in age, backgrounds and socioeconomic position. Doing that isn’t generally as profitable. So that gap in perspective of what the future of the neighborhood could be is so large that folks are often not even speaking the same language.
I don’t think that all developers are bad folks and there are some beautiful examples of valuable developments such as Crane art and the teachers lofts on philadelphia. It’s just that so much of the positive development is rarely enjoyed by people of color and old neighborhood residents. I’m sure alot of this has to do with the limited participation and involment if those parties with city planning, funding and development.
That limited involvement sounds like the same problem with every other sector (with the exclusion of activism) of business, from art, fashion, music, finance, tech, entertainment etc.
At the end of our conversation I had a series of mixed emotions and thoughts.
HOLIDAY 2012 POP UP SHOP! NEW YORK, NY November 17, 2012
I’m always honored to rock with the Toofly, Circa95 crew. Just received the press release which means the pop up shop is officially on and Junkprints (aka me) will be there! See below for the deets.
LADIES LOVE PROJECT
PRESENTS:
HOLIDAY 2012 POP UP SHOP!
Shopping Event Showcases Brazen Art, Avant-Garde Fashion & Design at the University Settlement!
On Saturday, November 17, 2012, the LADIES LOVE PROJECT presents its 6th POP-UP SHOP at University Settlement 183 Eldridge St from 12pm – 10pm. The PROJECT, a brainchild of renowned street artist TOOFLY, sound sensation PattyDukes & Rephstar of the Circa95 duo and creative non-profit efficionado A.Mari, highlights some of NYC’s most creative underground artists and designers. The one-day-only event boasts an intimate, yet extraordinary colorful market shopping experience – designed to familiarize consumers, media and tastemakers with artists currently celebrating prominence.
Featured female market designers and artists include Toofly, Junkprints, Vanilla Medallions, Dominique Reneè, Shiro – as well as the fellas Marka27, Rebelution, Soh Nup Ink, and a host of others, will be exhibiting one of a kind, limited edition, handcrafted goods just in time for the holidays! Event music across all genres will be handled by RephStar and Dj Enygma. A live broadcast of the event will be streamed all day at www.Circa95.com and will include the first ever performance showcase by Brooklyn based rap sensation, and self-proclaimed “Mistress of Ceremonies,” Jasmine Solano. Complimentary empanadas, coquito, and cupcake treats will be served by Jenny Kinns Cupcakes, Mi Isla Coquito, and Martha’s Kitchen. Funky fresh ladies in the *new* LLP Lounge will be rocking make-up makeovers, dope nail art, and tarot card readings. This year the photo fun will continue with homegirls Sheena She on deck with event photography and Samantha Morales holding down the LLP Photobooth!
University Settlement, a celebrated art and community space located in the Lower East Side, plays host to the eclectic mix of prosperous and established talent. Art pieces on canvas, jewelry, t-shirts, graffiti, make-up, nails, live music—you name it— the LADIES LOVE PROJECT HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP doesn’t get any more New York than this! “Having the LADIES LOVE PROJECT POP-UP SHOP in our space is a perfect fit,” says Alison Fleminger, Manager of University Settlement space. “All of the vendors have styles that honor old New York, but each demonstrates a unique progression with great, must-have niche items.” “We are ecstatic and honored to be partnering with such a NYC institution of Art! We, the LLP team and event participants, are enthused to be hosted in this inviting space – the pop up will be sure to kick the holiday off with LOVE!”
Currency Exhibition: “What If We Re-Made U.S. Economic Policy?” 06/15/2012
Is thrilled to announce that I will be exhibiting new art work centered around “What If We Re-Made U.S. Economic Policy?”
Dates
06/15/2012
Time
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Venue Info
Supernova
26-19 Jackson Avenue
Long Island City, NY, 11101
In 1944, during World War II, President Roosevelt called for an Economic Bill of Rights. “People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made,” he warned. Today, some would say we have inherited that fate, although they might disagree on the causes and the culprits.
In a new world, how would artists create a sustainable and equitable economy to the benefit of citizens, businesses and communities?
“What If We Re-Made U.S. Economic Policy?” is a QAX event featuring new collaborative work by Leslie Alfin, Theresa Byrnes, Chanel Kennebrew and Toshi Reagon.
Presented by Queens Council on the Arts with generous support from Rockrose Development Corp.
QAX After-Party w/ GlobeSonic Sound System: 9-11pm @ Currency, immediately following this New World event.
Styling for People StyleWatch
Hi there! I have some exciting news to share! For the past few months I’ve been doing some still life styling for People StyleWatch Magazine. Yep you read that right, my lil name is in print is one the most widely distributed magazine! The first issue is this dec./jan issue.
BLACKEST BLACK FRIDAY NOV. 25th-27th
Yo! The Fine folks at Junkprints are hosting the blackest black friday open studio ever. This event is going to be so black that your gonna need a flashlight & affirmative actions to balance it out. Just kidding! I’ve been prepping for the holiday season & am thrilled to be open 11/25-11/27 for all your Junk shopping desires. Free goodies w/ the 1st 10 black friday purchases.
Fri Nov. 25th and Sun. Nov. 27th // Noon til 7PM
The Junkyard // 66 Washington Ave, Brooklyn NY 11205
Brooklyn35 and Me and Philly
Brooklyn35 is this amazing collective that complrised primarily of musicians and musicish people, but has a few super creatives that don’t make things stuff to make your boogie box wiggle, such as myself, photographers, a promoter, film makers etc. Anyhoot. We are gearing up for a performance this weekend in Philly and I’d love to invite you ! Come out an enjoy some live music.
The following are the deets.
Pls note the venue has been changed:
Rouge Gallery
11 S. 21st Street, Philadelphia, PA
Brooklyn35 Live Philly Performance
September 24th, 2011
Doors Open:8pm
GO BIG and GO RUNAWAY FROM HOME
It’s important for me to make ridiculous things from time to time, so I decided to make another huge bag , and just in time for the fake Hurricane Irene, Don’t even get me started on that hoopla, anyhoot, here’s the big bag
This is the hugest bag I’ve ever made and Just in time time to run for the hills, before my studio is submerged by Hurricane Irene…kinda kidding, kinda not 😉
SIZE: 67″x 20″ x 20″
Here’s the other large bag I made in ’09…it’s in a private collection.
ON THE NEW NEW
So you know how I make things right? Well my friends, frienemies and spies, I have a huge new grouping of junk for you. Remember, you can sleep when your dead, so don’t sleep on this 😉 All these goodies are listed on Junkprints
Also, are you on tumblr? If so you should follow ya gal. I generally post new imaged there as soon as they are available. thx and Spanks 😉
BRAIN RE-WIRE
I have been a really bad blogger lately and have been a bit MIA over the last month on social media networks, and ya’ll know how I love me some twitter. Well my friends and frenemies, here’s why. I have been rewiring my brain, and assessing the next major creative move for Junkprints.
I consider my self an artist who happens to be using textiles as a medium, but have never really considered myself a ‘fashion designer’ The reason for that is because generally, the culture around fashion is stuffy (and art’s not right? I’ll get to that later) and I’m not formally trained in it. So in some ways I don’t have the brainwashing that makes me worship it.
That being said, I love clothing, dressing clever, costumes, and vintage archives and many designer collections, I just don’t like the fuss around it, and all the ‘tastemakers’ being ‘nonhuman like’ to boost the importance of wearing the perfect shade of magenta this season…it’s just not the serious. To me clothing and adornment is to support a mood and cover the bits that the public is uncomfortable with seeing, and keep us warm/cool and ‘protected’ while expressing us. It’s to inspire us, not make us feel unworthy.
Here’s the dilemma with having an artist making clothing, well to be perfectly honest, I do not like making things over and over again. I never did. Once the concept, design is resolved in my mind and in execution, I feel like my work is done. That puts one in quite a predicament if the item requires pattern grading, sizing and material sourcing. I’ve never been one to go half on things so for the last few years I have taken this on and with an extreme gusto and passion. Over the last few months I realized that this may be smashing up my creative process. No one wants their creativity all smashed up, so I’ve take a moment to rewire my brain and come up with a plan of action.
I will continue to make engaging work…no matter what! I am shifting gears a bit and am creating art…just art, not art for a tee…just art. Recently I’ve sold some large pieces including the one below. I also have a show coming up in a swanky Chelsea Gallery as well as a solo show in Delaware next year. Deets soon to come.
In addition to the art I’m gearing up for licensing. Yep that’s right, I’ll be playing with the corporate world, but don’t worry I’ll be wise with my licensing and will be more on the L.A.M.B. side of the table than the god awful Ed Hardy (believe it or not the dude is talented he’s just a licensing whore) side of the table. The plan is to be extremely hands on while utilizing there resources and distribution. I still need all the work that stems for Junkprints to have integrity and am excited about working with the grown ups. This licensing thing is in the works and I probably won’t have stuff to show for a while, giants move slow you know, but I’m working with some great business folks on getting this done and it will be most amazing.
So with all this new stuff going on, you may see lots of one of a kind items on junkprints including clothing and I apologies in advance if it’s not available in your size, for now I will be prototyping, just like when I first started…keeping, the creative juices flowing. Due to all these changes, many items currently on the Junkprints.com will be ending there editions early, basically I’m selling what I have in stock and will not be making more, particularly on the clothing. So if you see a tee or hoodie you have your eye on, snag it now…cuz once it’s gone it’s gone.