I ran into a few cool artists last week. The reason my blogs have been untimely is that I've been a little too busy exploring and not busy enough writing. In my adventures these past few days, I attended a one-year anniversary party for a local, independent bookshop, and met a couple very interesting artists. Here's a bit of a re-cap. The One-Year Anniversary party was for a small bookstore called Babylon Falling (http://babylonfalling.com/blog/), located in the 'tender-nob' area of SF, downtown. I found their store via some surfin' the net, and heard about their party. They were also launching their t-shirt line, which features art from several of the artists they've featured there over the past year. One of the guys being featured was David Choong Lee, a resident here in SF. His art was also being featured at a gallery party I was planning on attending the next day, so I decided to go check him out here first, since he was spinning some tunes at the anniversary party. I dragged my roomie and a couple friends along, with the enticing promise of free beer, wine, and celebratory cake and we were off! David Lee was there, as promised, along with another artist featured: Emory Douglas. Their shirts were awesome, (I picked up an Emory Douglas design) and I was able to meet the artist himself.
((The owner of the bookstore (Sean) was present at this moment, and said that he was an amazing guy as well as artist, and a great person to sit down and talk to. I'm guessing this is because of his affiliation and participation in/with the Black Panther Party, here in SF back in the 60's.))
What I love about these two artists is not only their style, but their message. After all, what is arts purpose but to inform the people? David Choong Lee is a transplant from Korea, and even though he still barely speaks English, his paintings speak volumes. Once he arrived in the city, he immediately took notice of the homeless community here that is often seen an
d even more often ignored. Not only did Lee take notice, but he completely immersed himself in this disregarded culture-- talking with and sitting with and befriending these people who are the outcasts of this society. This greatly inspired his works, and in turn, its viewers. It makes me think about how often I've walked by a homeless man or woman on the street. How often do we pass these people, and try our hardest to avoid them, looking away in discomfort, and praying that they not confront us? How often have we become so jaded towards the homeless, that we don't even notice them in our daily travels? Is it because we're scared? Is it because we're TOO good? Is it because it's not proper, expected, inconvenient? A lot of times, I come across the same bums and hobos, transients and travelers, or what have you-- and I start to wonder where they've come from? What's their story, where have they been and likewise, where are they going?? Who CHOOSES this life, or did they at all?? Like Gericault, bringing light, through art, to the most marginalized in society; Lee brings a life to the downtrodden living on our own streets. He uses lots of mixed colors, vibrant hues, and intimate brush strokes which place a sense of emotion on his canvas', and its subject matter, that is much harder to forget than the hobo hanging out on 6th St.
d even more often ignored. Not only did Lee take notice, but he completely immersed himself in this disregarded culture-- talking with and sitting with and befriending these people who are the outcasts of this society. This greatly inspired his works, and in turn, its viewers. It makes me think about how often I've walked by a homeless man or woman on the street. How often do we pass these people, and try our hardest to avoid them, looking away in discomfort, and praying that they not confront us? How often have we become so jaded towards the homeless, that we don't even notice them in our daily travels? Is it because we're scared? Is it because we're TOO good? Is it because it's not proper, expected, inconvenient? A lot of times, I come across the same bums and hobos, transients and travelers, or what have you-- and I start to wonder where they've come from? What's their story, where have they been and likewise, where are they going?? Who CHOOSES this life, or did they at all?? Like Gericault, bringing light, through art, to the most marginalized in society; Lee brings a life to the downtrodden living on our own streets. He uses lots of mixed colors, vibrant hues, and intimate brush strokes which place a sense of emotion on his canvas', and its subject matter, that is much harder to forget than the hobo hanging out on 6th St. 
Emory Douglas also brings his art to represent a marginalized group in society: the Black Community of the civil rights era. He was the man behind the many images of the Black Panther Party, and play
s a leading role in the group here in the Bay Area. His images are fueled with a passion for societal change, and that is what they pushed for then and still stand for today. They are sometimes grotesque and violent images, but it's only to say that it reflects what was rampant within that community. His artwork calls for self-defense, unity, and uprising-- something that we can still relate to in the state our society is in. What's even more attractive about this artist is his sense of history. His legitimacy not only as a skilled artist, but as an active member in combating the problems he paints about. Not only is he reflecting the times, he's also re-fueling the force that breeds discontent, and in turn-- revolution. We've talked about how powerful an image is, and what is more powerful than an image created by someone who is experiencing it first hand? Needless to say, Douglas was a charming man, who despite his somewhat abrasive images, seemed like your average, friendly, neighbor-next-door type. Someone you'd definitely want to sit down over a cup-o-joe and chat with. I'm positive he has plenty of stories.
s a leading role in the group here in the Bay Area. His images are fueled with a passion for societal change, and that is what they pushed for then and still stand for today. They are sometimes grotesque and violent images, but it's only to say that it reflects what was rampant within that community. His artwork calls for self-defense, unity, and uprising-- something that we can still relate to in the state our society is in. What's even more attractive about this artist is his sense of history. His legitimacy not only as a skilled artist, but as an active member in combating the problems he paints about. Not only is he reflecting the times, he's also re-fueling the force that breeds discontent, and in turn-- revolution. We've talked about how powerful an image is, and what is more powerful than an image created by someone who is experiencing it first hand? Needless to say, Douglas was a charming man, who despite his somewhat abrasive images, seemed like your average, friendly, neighbor-next-door type. Someone you'd definitely want to sit down over a cup-o-joe and chat with. I'm positive he has plenty of stories. Seriously though, go to Babylons website and check out the cool features they've done on these local artists. Represent, Support, Love!
No comments:
Post a Comment