eidNEWS

Invitation designed by yours truly

Last semester I (Fall 2008) was enrolled in a class called GroundUp. This class was a combination of students from a variety of disciplines including Design, Fine Arts, and Visual Critical Studies from California College of the Arts and Stanford. Our assignment was to create a participatory artist project as a part of the Art of Participation exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. As a class we decided it was best to provide the viewers with a realistic, inside view of collaborative projects which can be challenging. We staged a debate and had a great time! There were arguments, there were laughs and it honestly worked itself out right in front of, and involving the audience. We each became a caricature of ourselves. My role was the peacekeeper… so I dressed like a hippie.

Click to view photos from the event

The hippie shares a "Peace" cake

Painters, poets, musicians, crochet and culinary artists all came out to share their talents in this laid back community setting. Around 70 people came out including three extremely talented artists and designers, Andre Johnson, Siraj and Rico Young who were out of state but still shared their work via satellite.

Oakland Post article Nov 12-18

Satellite Artists

By Siraj in Oakland, CA Contact: siraj6449@gmail.com

By Rico Young in Oklahoma City, OK Contact: rico_yng@yahoo.com

Click here to view photos.

My late cousin Keonna. We miss you.

This show was a fundraiser for the Pro Arts Gallery in Oakland. It was necessary to provide much needed funds for their many community outreaching efforts. The painting that I donated was a portrait of my amazing cousin Keonna. It is entitled “Keonna Angel.” Keonna passed away two years ago at the tender age of 25. We were the same age and I have never feared a birthday since. She had the strength of a million women (and men) and she led an amazing life full of unconditional love for her 4 siblings and son she raised 10 years out of her life and the strength to take it on alone if necessary. You don’t meet many 15 year olds willing or able to do so. She was smart and her life provides a lesson on what unconditional love really is, what self-sacrifice really is. She gave up so much that it was time for God to bring His angel home.
We miss you Keonna.

This was my way of sharing her story, her legacy with as many people as I could. Someone purchased it and I must say the moment was bitter sweet. In the end it was sweet because many more could learn the lesson who would may not have. On her arm I summarize who she was and I hope and pray that it leaves it’s mark in someone’s mind.

Read the entire article published by the SF Chronicle here.

At a protest rally marking the first day of the Nigeria vs. Chevron trial in San Francisco, CA

Modeling the Orundide collection by the very talented Bay Area artist eesuu at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Click here to view the entire show

Article published in the Oakland Tribune April 19th, 2007

To read this entire article please follow this link.