Sustenance
I was selected to create the 2011 Bumbershoot Fine Arts poster. “Sustenance” is a combination of photos and music notation, where the raindrops are musical notes and the clouds are phrase markings used in musical notation. A representation of a three-movement composition, it consists of contrasting parts titled nourishment, endurance and strength. The accompanying musical composition will be available as a free download beginning a week prior to the festival.
Human Rights Legacy
Civil rights, and human rights for all, are a reoccurring theme in my art. My current public art project involves the community of Tacoma, WA and the city’s human rights legacy. Before the artwork is created for People’s Park, I will have met with numerous community organizations and completed residencies as a teaching artist at two elementary schools, a middle school, and the Boys and Girls Club. For the past four months, I’ve enjoyed finding new ways to creatively engage the community and encourage dialogue on the important issue of human rights in the past, present, and future.
Sounds Like…
Sounds Like… is a sound installation without sound. The four pairings of large images and video are based on the classic elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Each pairing also represents a significant event in US history relating to Americans of African descent, and their experiences. From broken promises associated with 40 acres and a mule, to the horrors of lynching, and the murder of Emmett Till, as well as honoring the spirit of those who fought for their rights.
Proliferation
Art can tell stories. For years I would talk about injustice by reciting numbers and statistics. When you say, “We have over 2.3 million people in prison,” it’s a large number to comprehend. Doing research at a prison issues-themed residency at the Blue Mountain Center in New York, I found some maps that I felt could help tell the story. This project shows the proliferation of the US prison system if seen from a celestial point of view. Using different colors to indicate different eras, the viewer can clearly see the astonishing growth of this system over time.
Four Score
A play on Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, and four graphic musical scores. The viewer is given an MP3 player and listens to corresponding compositions and arrangements. Each score measure 40 inches x 60 inches.
Busker
“Busker” is a performance art piece. This is a 2 minute excerpt from a 40 minute performance near a busy intersection. During the performance not a single note is played.
Calendar
Oct 6, 2012 8am–5pm
Race, Education, and Criminal Justice Conference
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Featured speaker/cello performance
Nov 1, 2012 6:30–8:30PM
Artist Trust 2012 Awards Party
Seattle Center: Experience Music Project
Recognition of the Conductive Garboil Grant
More info at artisttrust.org
Conductive Garboil After Party
8:30-10:30
Tashiro Kaplan Artists Lofts #508
Sun July 20
Open Studio Project Closing
Thu April 10
Souper Fundraiser – Paul Rucker Birthday Celebration
Wed February 05