Sofia Maldonado could be called a Third World Street Artist.  But then again, that would only describe part of her aesthetic and intellectual oeuvre.  A brilliant and original muralist she also finesses canvas, paper, disposed of skateboards, and Third World (a.k.a. Global South) toys made in China.  Born and raised in Puerto Rico, but residing in Brooklyn since 2006ish, she’s on the fence about returning home to the tropics post receipt of an MFA from Pratt University in 2008.  Her fusion of Puerto Rico’s real and imagined identities of US Territory, Commonwealth and independent nation, coupled with a colorful and active imagination of her own, creates artwork that is indirectly potent and visually appetizing.  In her images of girls, from reggaeton dancers, streetwalkers to fashionistas, she subverts and exaggerates female identity beyond what is seen in magazines, or on the corner, by adding her signature whimsical touch.

(Image: Mural inside of a home in San Juan, Puerto Rico)

Sofia’s goal to create a voice that represents Puerto Rico through graffiti and murals that are both female and a testament to an organic tropical style, has played out on walls and interiors throughout her native country.  Some of her new work involves found objects that she uses to discuss the development of Puerto Rico as an independent nation.  By using a traditional toy that generations of Puerto Ricans on the island have played with, trompos (seen below left), as canvases for her contemporary graffiti influenced style, she provides two-fold commentary on the trendy toy culture of global “cool kids” (i.e. Kid Robot) and the question of Puerto Rican independence and homegrown industry.  Her latest trompos project, Playing With The History of A Colony, on view at Art Basel Miami (Scope Miami) with Magnan Emrich, addresses the imposed identity of former colonies and memory. (To view more work that comments on Puerto Rican independence and homegrown industry scroll down to the FLAVA section.)

(Images left to right: Trompos {collectible toy series}, Sofia Maldonado) Contact Sofia

Photographer Ernie P., one of those enduring icons of hip hop culture that is a little bit below the radar while at the same time being above the radar, has finally been captured for the big screen. The Documentary, The Other Side of Hip Hop, covering his life in hip hop since its beginnings, won Best Documentary 2007 at the Big Apple Film Festival this past November.  Anyone who has worked in the industry of hip hop knows Ernie – they also know that underneath his effervescent over the top persona lies a heart of gold. Representing for the indigenous people of North America, Ernie’s Native American roots continue to create a fertile foundation from which he has documented a once ignored cultural phenomenon – hip hop – for over 30 years. In that same time frame he has stayed true to hip-hop’s core values – peace, unity and having fun – which have gotten lost in the fray at times, by lecturing at colleges and universities across the country, and on panels for Rap Sessions.  Visually his work has been on view all over the country and in print in his latest book Who Shot Ya?.  Who, What, Where: Latifah, B.I.G., The Source, Vibe, VH-1, MTV, Tupac, Jimmy Carter, Andy Warhol, The Dalai Lama, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Brooklyn Museum, Public Enemy, The Rock Steady Crew, The New York Times…and the list goes on…

(Afrika Bambaataa & Ernie P. circa 1989 photo by Ernie P.) 

There will be a free screening of The Other Side of Hip Hop during the first week of March, 2008 at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. Watch the Trailer!

Artwork by Featured Artist: Sofia Maldonado

(Images left to right: Coca Cola Can {limited edition graffiti series PR}, My Skate {Made in Puerto Rico})

Miguel Paredes particular brand of pop art transcends borders on multiple levels.  Although he is based in Miami, his wonder years were spent in New York mixing it up in the pop art milieu of Andy Warhol and Keith Haring while at the same time soaking in the sumptuous aesthetic birth of the New York City graffiti scene. There is no doubt that the layers of paint in his images speak volumes about the layers of life experience that can be soaked up by individuals who truly live.  Legendary graffiti painter Lee Quinones told Cultureserve, “I see his work as an honest visual memoir documenting the tumoltuous dawn of folkloric New York. Miguel is a vivid reminder of this era — he is charismatic and funny, and yet strikingly fierce as a thinking artist.” So, if you missed his November B-BOY show in NYC at Capla Kesting Fine Art don’t worry, he’s on view in two locations at Art Basel Miami this December.  True to form, Miguel’s work is appearing in two art shows – one for the mainstream (Kent Gallery 12/3-11) and one for those who like it “guerrilla style” (Fountain Miami 12/6-9)).  His work at Fountain will feature a new series of paintings of legendary Salsa musicians. (Below: Motherhood on view at Kent Gallery and Le Christ from the B-BOYS series)

For the past couple of years, I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying the work of London based architect David Adjaye right around the corner from my house. The private Brooklyn home he constructed for the artists Lorna Simpson and James Casebere stands out in a neighborhood of traditional brownstones like an inquisitive leap into the future.  This past month, I had the chance to hear him speak about this home, and his other public and private constructions, at Columbia University. Once again, I was quite impressed. His desire to re-imagine the urban environment and re-invest in it has materialized in numerous neighborhoods in London and now, more and more in the United States.  What resonated most for me were his comments on references and inspiration.  He discussed using artifacts as a strategy (ancient, crafted, non-architectural artifacts that represent the manifestation of abstract ritual into simple form).  For example, his inspiration for the building Rivington Place (London) rested in the jagged forms of Mende Helmet Masks of the Sande Women’s Associations of Sierra Leone and Liberia and, his inspiration for the multi-colored block structure of The Idea Store Library (White Chapel) came from similar patterns found in Kente cloth.  His use of ancient artifacts as “DNA” for his modern day architectural creations offers a powerful, innovative and futuristic take on the relationship between Africa and the West and where it can go.

(Photos, left to right: The Idea Store Library by Timothy Soar and Rivington Place by Ed Reeve)

Younity’s premiere art exhibition, The Crossover: A Fusion of Female Stylez, Ideaz and Skillz, this past month in New York City was a smashing success. Opening night was crowded from the minute the doors opened until the crowd’s final collective toast of Nuvo for Her Sparkling Pink Vodka in champagne glasses!  Speaking of pink, Lady Pink, the iconic female artist for a host of the show’s participants, blessed the crowd with her presence along with Shiro who came in from Japan and several NY based artists. Younity’s founders Alice Mizrachi and Toofly put together a super tight roster of local and international artists who truly represented for the ladies. Watch out for a lot more from this developing international women’s artist collective…

Unbreakable, acrylic on canvas, 30×40, by Toofly

Artwork from The Crossover will be on sale online until December 25th.

London based photographer Jennie Baptiste’s latest project, in conjunction with six young people collectively know as The Linx, took her and her youth shooters on a fact-finding trip to Accompong, Jamaica to interview and photograph descendants of the Maroons - the first free African slaves in the western hemisphere.  The Linx are a part of London’s Brent Council’s Youth Service and have been commended for raising awareness about these “courageous runaway slaves”, more appropriately described as, historic freedom-fighters, through public talks and forthcoming exhibitions.  Jennie told Cultureserve, “The people out there are so humble and giving, we in the west could definitely learn a thing or two.”  Stepfan one of the youth participants, along with the other 5 members, Asia, Blaine, Dipesh, Moses and Val (ages 13-19), described the experience of being invited into the Maroon community and seeing former slave plantations as quite “enlightening.”  

(Photos, left to right: Avian a young farmer who lives in Accompong by Moses Howe,14 yrs. old and Traditional Maroon House by Blaine Powell, 17 yrs. old)

The work will be exhibited in the newly opened “permanent slavery gallery” (no comment on that name!) at The Museum in Docklands in London from Wednesday 2/20/2008 – 8/31/2008.  There will also be photography workshops for young visitors in which Maroon culture and artifacts will be examined and discussed with The Linx. Also on deck: A book with photos by Jennie Baptiste and The Linx sponsored by The Watchmen Agency and, an exhibition at the National Institute of Jamaica 2008.