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Malene Djenaba Barnett is an American artist and activist who is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Afro-Caribbean women potters and telling the stories of silenced ancestors. She creates dynamic designs that celebrate the artistic and cultural traditions of the Black diaspora, incorporating motifs from traditional African fabrics, pottery, and ceremonial dress. Malene recently completed a research trip to Jamaica, where she studied African-Jamaican ceramic traditions and focused on the traditional Yabba pot made by enslaved women for survival. In addition to her artistic work, Malene founded the Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG), a non-profit organization that supports and promotes Black designers. She is fearless in calling out the lack of diversity in the design industry and believes that there is still work to be done to improve opportunities for designers of color. [Extracted from the article]

Norberto Roldan, a prominent Southeast Asian artist, will be holding his first solo exhibition in the United States at Silverlens New York from May 2 to June 15. The exhibition, titled "How Not to Win a Revolution," explores the social, political, and cultural conditions of the Philippines, where Roldan has had a significant impact on the cultural landscape for almost 40 years. Through his artwork, Roldan combines found objects, imagery, and text to delve into the intricate cultural and political fabric of the Philippines, offering alternative visions of the future. The exhibition will also address present-day concerns, such as tensions in the South China Sea. Roldan's artwork reflects a narrative of resistance and resilience, paying homage to the enduring spirit of the Filipino people. [Extracted from the article]

Simone Leigh Sculptor and conceptual artist (b. 1967, Chicago) Leigh's work has taken form throughout various mediums. Faith Ringgold, Black Light Series #4: Mommy and Daddy, 1969 Leigh's self-titled exhibition is on display at the Hirshhorn. CULTURE Since 2002, Art Basel Miami has been a haven for fine art enthusiasts - encompassing every facet that exists within the mind of a creative. [Extracted from the article]

Though Rucker, 57, has scaled the charts - both with his rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, which reunited for an album and tour in 2019, and as a solo country star - he's never left his humble roots in the rearview. Rucker still lives in South Carolina, where he raised his three children, daughter Daniela, 22, and son Jack, 18 (whom he shares with his ex Beth, 56), and daughter Carolyn, 28, from a previous relationship. THE BELOVED ROCKER TURNED COUNTRY STAR REFLECTS ON FAME, FAMILY & FORGING HIS OWN PATH HIS ROCKIN' CAREER He's won three Grammys and sold millions of records, but when Darius Rucker was growing up in Charleston, S.C., he wasn't the best singer in his house - his mother, Carolyn, was. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information on African American theater during the early 20th century, with an emphasis on Black performers on Broadway and the evolution of their roles. Topics discussed include the rise of all-Black shows on Broadway; the transition of Black performers to more dignified roles; and the contributions of prominent African American performers like Ada Overton Walker, Bert Williams, Ethel Waters and Josephine Baker.

This article is an interview with Hilton Als, a writer and critic known for his exploration of ambiguity and breaking societal boundaries. Als discusses his upbringing, self-discovery, and approach to writing, emphasizing the importance of being unclassifiable and unburdened by societal norms. He touches on themes of shame, guilt, and atonement in his work, as well as the relationship between aesthetics and politics. Als believes that art should evoke emotion and challenge our perceptions of ourselves. He reflects on the concept of freedom in the work of Black artists and the idea that writers may feel a sense of freedom while creating, but not after finishing their work. The text also mentions the concept of the "eternal return," which brings both possibility and despair, but also joy in the prospect of being a different self with each new project. [Extracted from the article]

There are scores of late Black artists who were all but discarded by the art world during their lifetimes - the figurative painter Bob Thompson, the Abstract Expressionist Ed Clark, and color-field painter Sam Gilliam among them - whose reputations Johnson has now helped to resurrect. Even while still in college, Johnson was eager to establish himself in the Chicago art scene, and once showed up unannounced at a nearby gallery he heard was having a group show, with a portfolio of images he had made. Paul met Johnson through Maverick Carter, the sports-marketing businessman, and has since purchased eight of Johnson's paintings, in addition to works by Lauren Halsey, Derrick Adams, and Amoako Boafo. Features ONE WAY TO measure an artist's success on the island of Manhattan is real estate, and by that metric, among many others, Rashid Johnson has been very successful. [Extracted from the article]

Quarmyne describes this process as "methodology for artists, and particularly for racialized artists, artists with a colonial history, to look at how we carry ancestral memory and story in our bodies." Quarmyne's work has been deeply shaped and guided by the Arrivals Legacy process founded by theatre artist Diane Roberts. À partir de ces questions, l'article explore les affaires familiales en art du mouvement dans une série d'entretiens avec quatre artistes uniques: Liliona Quarmyne, Starr Muranko, Nickeshia Garrick et Mayumi Lashbrook. FEATURES "I feel like a stretch", says Liliona Quarmyne (she/her). [Extracted from the article]

British singer/songwriter Michael Kiwanuka is preparing to release his fourth album, Small Changes, in November. In an interview, Kiwanuka reflects on his journey as a musician, emphasizing the significance of doubt and vulnerability in his creative process. He discusses the pressure to constantly prove himself and his desire to create something larger than himself. Small Changes is described as a more intimate and self-accepting record, focusing on personal growth and commitment. Kiwanuka also discusses the challenges faced by artists in the music industry, including the high costs of touring and the difficulty of breaking through in a fragmented market. He highlights the importance of mental health and representation for artists, particularly artists of color, and expresses concerns about the potential impact of AI on individuality and creativity in music. Despite these challenges, Kiwanuka remains dedicated to his art and determined to pursue his goals. [Extracted from the article]

Gyasi, 28, draws on the emotions he associates with those colors to embed meaning into his photographs, which have become globally recognizable. Growing up, Gyasi "developed this idea of do-it-yourself behavior", he says, starting his photography career with an iPhone. Next Generation Leaders Ghana Prince Gyasi sees days of the week in color. [Extracted from the article]

This article showcases a selection of noteworthy titles in the fields of art, architecture, and photography. It covers a wide range of subjects, including the documentation of pop culture advancements and the exploration of prominent figures such as Albrecht Dürer. The featured titles encompass diverse topics, such as the photography of Baltimore's Black communities, the misunderstood portrayal of Muslim figures in Dürer's art, and the interest of Black artists in ancient Egyptian iconography. This article serves as a valuable resource for library patrons conducting research on specific subjects, offering a comprehensive overview of upcoming releases in these fields. One of the highlighted books, "Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist and All That It Implies," edited by Dalila Scruggs, delves into the art of Elizabeth Catlett, an artist associated with the Harlem Renaissance. Catlett's life in Mexico and her exclusion from the United States due to suspicions of communism are explored in this book, which provides a survey of her work and examines the implications of her art. [Extracted from the article]

Percival Everett's new novel, James, challenges expectations about the types of books he should write as a Black author. The novel retells Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of enslaved Jim. Some wondered if Everett was selling out by writing a more mainstream book, but James proves to be darker, more imaginative, and sly than expected. The protagonist, James, is a smart and capable character who forms powerful bonds with others, including Huck. The novel explores themes of freedom and bondage, and Everett's writing is known for its formal adventurousness and subversiveness. [Extracted from the article]

Together, Richards and Wilson came up with an unusual strategy, and in the process helped inaugurate a new and closer relationship between commercial and nonprofit theater in America. But his relationship with Richards was deteriorating in classic patricidal fashion: As Wilson grew comfortable in his prominence, he chafed at Richards's guiding role. That meant helping Wilson find "a through line or a fully realized theme", as Richards put it, to give coherence to the fascinating characters and the often disjointed scenes and speeches that first propelled Wilson into a play. Culture & Critics When August Wilson's The Piano Lesson opened at the Huntington Theatre in Boston in 1988, my mother, her friend Renée, and I sat in the audience, captivated by the struggles of a brother and sister at odds about the fate of a family heirloom, a piano on which their enslaved ancestor had made African carvings. [Extracted from the article]

The one-room exhibition featured wallpaper made from a photograph of Johnson's father in the 1970s donning a taekwondo gi as well as a series of paintings with frantic, cartoonish-like faces scratched into "cosmic slop." ADVOCATE FOR DIVERSITY Beyond commercial success, Johnson's prominence in the art world in recent years has taken the form of advocacy work. The final product of this experience was The Dead Lecturer - an exhibition titled after a 1964 poetry collection by Amiri Baraka (then known as LeRoi Jones) that demonstrated Johnson's range as an artist to the world. Born: March 2, 1977 Occupation: Artist Throughout his acclaimed career, Rashid Johnson has continuously proven that he is not the kind of artist who can be easily defined. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on Nile Harris's latest live performance titled "this house is not a home," which tackles uncomfortable social issues. Topics covered in the interview include Harris's experiences as a Black artist in predominantly white spaces, the concept of cooning, the exploitation of Black artists, and the influence of his late collaborator Trevor Bazile.

This article from Booklist Reader highlights a selection of slow-burn love stories that readers may enjoy. The recommended books include "A Distant Heart" by Sonali Dev, "Happy Place" by Emily Henry, "Her Perfect Affair" by Priscilla Oliveras, "Normal People" by Sally Rooney, "One Day" by David Nicholls, "Slow Dance" by Rainbow Rowell, "Open Water" by Caleb Azumah Nelson, "Something to Talk About" by Meryl Wilsner, "The Rewind" by Allison Winn Scotch, "A Run at Love" by Toni Shiloh, and "Where We End & Begin" by Jane Igharo. Each book explores different aspects of love and relationships, offering diverse perspectives and engaging storytelling. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses recent California noir novels and highlights various titles and authors in the genre. It emphasizes the expansion of the genre to include women and writers of color, which has enriched the tradition. The article provides brief descriptions of several books, including their settings and main characters, giving readers a glimpse into the stories. The novels cover a range of themes, from murder investigations to historical scandals, and are set in different parts of California. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the challenge of documenting the life and music of William 'Billy' Waters, a notable Black fiddle-player from Regency London, due to the scarcity of early 19th-century records. Topics include Waters' impact on Regency London through his music and performances, the difficulties faced by Black artists in his time, and the efforts of researcher Mary L. Shannon to reconstruct his legacy using historical and creative methods.

The article discusses the conundrum faced by many American artists today, focusing on the film "American Fiction" and the protagonist's struggle with the publishing industry's expectations of Black authors. The film explores the tension between creating art that reflects the Black experience and avoiding pandering to stereotypes. The author reflects on their own experience as a Black writer and their desire for their novel to be seen as more than just a "Black American book." The article raises the question of who Black artists should create for and highlights the challenges they face in navigating racial boundaries in their work. [Extracted from the article]

Body Count, a metal band fronted by hip hop pioneer Ice-T, emerged in the early 90s and brought together the worlds of metal and hip hop. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1992, featured the controversial song "Cop Killer," which addressed police brutality, particularly against the Black community. The song gained significant attention and backlash from the establishment, including criticism from President George HW Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle. Ultimately, due to pressure, the song was removed from the album. However, its legacy remains, demonstrating the power of metal as a form of protest and the importance of Black voices in the genre. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on Black Lives In Music (BLIM), an organization working towards equality for Black musicians and professionals in the music industry. Topics include the impact of BLIM's groundbreaking report, "Being Black In The UK Music Industry," the challenges faced by Black professionals due to racial inequality, and BLIM's collaborations with various institutions and industry leaders to address and raise awareness about systemic issues.

The article informs readers about the hopes and dreams of leading figures in the music industry for the upcoming year. Topics include desires for the growth and recognition of R&B artists, transparency in gender pay gap reporting, creating moments of relief through music amidst global challenges, enhancing exports of UK music, and fostering diversity and inclusion within the industry.

The article features singer-songwriter Coco Jones and her works that led to her nomination in the 2024 Grammy Awards. Also cited are her roles in Disney Channel shows and films such as "Let It Shine" and "So Random!," her signing with High Standardz/Def Jam Recordings, and her accomplishments as singer-songwriter including her 2013 album "Made Of."

American Fiction is a film adaptation of Percival Everett's novel Erasure, directed by Cord Jefferson. The story follows Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, a Black novelist whose work is deemed not "Black enough" by the literary elite. Frustrated, Monk decides to write a book filled with offensive Black stereotypes, but instead of recognizing it as satire, the publishing establishment loves it and offers him a $1 million book deal. The film explores themes of professional life, the limitations placed on Black writers, and the complexities of Black family dynamics. The director, Cord Jefferson, drew inspiration from his own experiences as a Black writer in the entertainment industry. The film features a talented cast, including Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Sterling K. Brown. [Extracted from the article]

This article introduces four emerging directors in the film industry. Blitz Bazawule, from Ghana, is currently working on a musical adaptation of Alice Walker's "The Color Purple." Ilker Çatak, a German-Turkish director, gained recognition for his film "The Teachers' Lounge" and is now working on a new project called "Yellow Letters." Sophie Dupuis, a Quebecois director, explores toxic relationships in her film "Solo," set in the drag world. Cord Jefferson, known for his TV writing, is making his directorial debut with "American Fiction," based on Percival Everett's novel "Erasure." Titus Kaphar, an artist turned filmmaker, presents his semi-autobiographical film "Exhibiting Forgiveness" at the Sundance Film Festival. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information on the Tropical Aesthetics of Black Modernism, as lead by Samantha A. Noël. Topics include the framing of the tropical as an aesthetic strategy by Black artists, the paradoxes of tropicality as a site of resistance for Black artists, and the exploration of tropical aesthetics thematically divided into two halves.