Njideka Akunyili

It's not everyday you come across an art piece by a Nigerian artist explicitly showing biracial love so when I saw the work of Njideka Akunyili, I was very intrigued not only by the subject of her work, but the pieces as a whole. In doing some research (i.e. my friend Google), this is what the Akunyili says about her work:

My art addresses my internal tension between my deep love for Nigeria, my country of birth, and my strong appreciation for Western culture, which has profoundly influenced both my life and my art. I use my art as a way to negotiate my seemingly contradictory loyalties to both my cherished Nigerian culture that is currently eroding and to my white American husband. {See more of her statement here}

As immigrants, I think this question of divided loyalties often comes up especially when one has been away from "home" for many years and when you throw in some of the challenges that may arise from being in a biracial relationship (i.e. maybe family and friends not being as supportive, etc.) it all seems like a big mixed bag of emotions which clearly can drive unique and beautiful art as in the case of Akunyili.

{Photo: Yale University School; Artist Statement: Heather James Fine Art}

Fatima the Storyteller

The first question that popped into my head when I saw this image of Fatima Siad is "what story is she telling?" Just based on the image, what story do you think is being conveyed (if any)?

{Photo: FGR}

Maasai Bohemian

Can you imagine running around your day looking this bohemian?!? While I obviously cannot, I do admit loving flavor that the Maasai jewelry adds to the look...(clearly I'm loving all things Maasai this week...)

{Photo: FGR}

Newdigate at West Elm

Over the years you may have noticed that I'm a major fan of the beautiful ceramics of South African designer John Newdigate since I really can't stop blogging about his work (see, here and this interview)! Last summer I hinted at his upcoming collaboration with a store closer to you - West Elm - and I'm now psyched to report that his goods have hit their shelves (both real and virtual) just in time for a full two seasons of lovely weather. These pieces would be perfect for an outdoor dinner party among friends and if you live close to the ocean than you kinda just have to get these since the entire collection is ocean-inspired!

I recently asked John what it's been like to collaborate with a mega-business like West Elm and this is what he had to share: "It has been amazing to have my work produced on a larger scale, to free up my time, enabling me to concentrate on my strengths - coming up with new designs and colour-ways, and making big one-off pieces. West Elm is doing a great job of promoting me along with my designs, which I appreciate enormously. My work has always sold well but I have been unable to meet demand as a studio artist ceramist, so this collaboration is enabling my work to reach more people, which pleases me to no end!" 

I especially love two things about this collaboration: first that this isn't just a case of a mega-business being "inspired" by something from Africa and reproducing that "inspiration" on a large scale without a single soul from the continent being involved and/or benefiting. Instead in this case, there is direct and close collaboration with the artist and really highlighting their work which I just find to be overall right up my alley in terms of "good business practice." Second, I think such collaborations are so in line with the creative energy coming out of South Africa (and the continent in general) right now, highlighting exactly why a city like Cape Town is the newest World Design Capital.

{Photos: West Elm}

At Home with Art

Despite my huge love of art, sadly my home just doesn't have enough beautiful art pieces gracing the walls. Needless to say, this home of South African art critic Lucia Burgur totally makes me want to start the whole decorating process again with a focus on making a home where art is the central focus. Burgur's home is a wonderful display of so much South African talent perfectly blended into a liveable space. How she does it without everything feeling cluttered is amazing to me! I think this is where the whole "white walls" business, not to mention lots of space and natural light may all be to her advantage.

Have you incorporated a lot of (or any) special art work into your home? If so, how and where?
 
{Photos: House and Leisure via Zinio}

Hands of a Woman

So I may be growing a thing for hands shots..remember this post? Well, these hands belong to a woman from Ethiopia and the simple view of her hands seem to convey a combination of strength, hard-work and calm all at the same time. Besides screaming "ummm, clean your nails and while you're at it just get a manicure," I hope that my hands can convey something smart about me one day!

What do you think a shot of your hands would say about you?

{Photo: In Focus}

Maasai Warrior Plays Cricket

Despite being one of the smaller tribes in Kenya, the Maasai continue to dominate in their ability to draw international attention to the benefit of their people (seriously, who is their publicist?!?)!

This time they have come together to use cricket as a way "to promote healthy living, to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and women's issues, and ultimately to become role models in their community and ambassadors for both the Maasai and Kenya." Fully garbed in their signature colorful beads, this team of young Maasai have already made it to Mombassa for further cricket training and are now raising funds to attend a major tournament in South Africa.

I love these images with the pale gray background that allows their colorful style (not to mention, lean, toned bodies) to really shine through the shot. And just in case you think these guys are only hardcore about their cricket....this lovely final shot shows that they can kick back and have tons of fun as well....

To find out more and donate to their cause, click here.

{Photos: In Focus}

Map This

As I sit here, itching for yet another travel adventure, these beautiful fun maps by Bianca Tschaikner just adds fuel to the "I need to travel" fire! Luckily my next trip, which I can't wait to tell you about, is coming up sooner rather than later!

{Photos: Bianca Tschaikner}

Grace Bol

...with style....

and grace...

{Photos: FGR}

My Finicky Fiddle

Dear Friends,

This is a quick little cautionary tale of how I, a woman who barely knows the meaning of the word patience, recently found myself high on a stool, soft towel in hand gentling wiping the delicate leaves of a plant!! You can also view this as a tale of how decor magazines/blogs secretly brought me down!

As a lover of all things decor related, I had been noticing the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree glamorizing homes left and right and of course I naively thought "wouldn't my place look nice with one of those!" So last summer, I found one at a large nursery and decided it was high time the plant came home with me to work it's glamorizing magic. (Note: Fancy plant does not come with glamor shots of your home, fabulous furniture, awesome artwork or Bameleke feather hanging on your wall.)

Since then my friends, it has been an amazing journey of plants sheer will to survive in the face of my every ignorant move! First, I forgot what the plant was even called! Then the common sense step of finding the plant's name fell by the waist-side as I gallivanted around the globe. By gallivanting, please read "not watering the plant for weeks at a time, coming home, rushing the plant outside, and drowning it in water then repeating the cycle again." A few months ago, I finally got a hold of the plant's name again and when I googled the plant care instructions... (yeah I know, something that would have been wise to do before buying the plant)...I was shocked to find out that a) the plant prefers to stay in one location (hence moving it around my apartment or rushing it outside was NOT in it's best interest); b) it does not liked to be drowned with water at random intervals; and c) it's leaves need to be constantly dusted to ensure it that dust doesn't limit the amount of sunlight that gets absorbed! And what does the plant do when conditions aren't just right....it gets "stressed out" and sheds its beautiful leaves to indicate displeasure with it's host! Yes, only I would get a plant that gets "stressed out!"

So anyway here we are, me and my finicky fiddle! I figured that while in-country, the least I can do is take care of it as best as I can. With spring and summer coming through, I've moved it outside because despite everything I've mentioned (i.e. the plant hates to be moved), I don't think a tropical/temperate plant it's worthy of it's leaves if it can't survive being outside in the summer (of course I panicked because it was suppose to storm last night, brought it back inside then realized I was being overly protective and took it back outside this morning). And finally, I took the time, stepped up the stool and gently rubbed the dust off its leaves.

Anyway....moral of the story: don't be bamboozled by pretty plants in magazines or simply learn about a plant before you bring it into your life or don't buy finnicky plants!
{Photos: 1- Lonny; 2 + 3 - The Aestate; 4 - From the Right Bank}

A-F-R-I-C-A

Africa seen via the Garden route of South Africa....
{Photos: Linus Lang}

Blue Night in C.A.R.

Obo, Central African Republic. I love that you can easily get caught up in just the beauty of the trees against the night sky and then you notice to man high in the tree. Brilliant. To read more about the LRA refugees who live in Obo, click here.

{Photo: Dominic Nahr Magnum for Time}

Shaka Maidoh & Sam Lambert

So recently I've had my eye on male-stuff. Not only reading more blogs by dudes, but I've recently found myself enjoying stuff like GQ magazine! It's pretty simple, these sites provide a hilarious, entertaining, unfussy view from the other half. In addition, they provide a little glimpse of how there is indeed hope for the other half in terms of fashion (I lost hope long ago when I moved to D.C. as this is NOT a city where  generally men are inclined toward establishing an individual style).

Sam Lambert and his bestie Shaka Maidoh (London-based by way of the motherland) really see to exemplify "personal" style in every item they choose to wear. Picking up skills from his father, who like many African men was a tailor, Lambert often refits/restyles purchased goods to make his own look. That he use to work for fellow African designer Ozwald Boateng only adds to his mad skills!

While these aren't necessarily the guys you want advice from when trying to scale a mountain or want something that wicks your sweat away (this is wear D.C. dudes excel given that brands like Marmot, North Face, and Patagonia are their version of Savile Row), for everyday urban, yet sophiscated and personal....these guys know what they are doing and I love it!

For more check out this interview that The Sartorialist recently did with Sam Lambert!

{Photos: The Sartorialist, The Styleograph, Streetfsn, Monsieur Got Style}

On Travel: San Telmo

Today, I'm going to take you along with me to the San Telmo flea market in Buenos Aires. Held every Sunday, this place is a colorful explosion of so much stuff that goes on for block after endless block!

I got dropped off at a mid-point, and started just walking and walking, slowly absorbing everything coming at me from colorful masks, to books, to textiles, t-shirts, all-things Malfalda*, food vendors, art on every type of canvas imaginable including the sides of buildings and tourists of all shades speaking every sorta language you can think of (needless to say I was psyched to bump into some South African tourists).

We herded together on the hottest day of my trip, taking in the tango music blasting from cd-players as vendors tried to sell those, had mini aircon escapes into the various antique stores that line the street and at the moment when you couldn't take anymore, there were tons of restaurants to stop and chillax for a bit.

One of my favorite moments was getting to hear some like tango performed by this 9-piece group who were fantastic! They basically took over one of the little alleys and jammed the afternoon away!
They were quite a serious bunch (tango clearly not being a laughing matter) so I was quite happy to see the piano player let a quick smile cross this face!

While absolutely exhausting, this market is a MUST see while in Buenos Aires!

*Mafalda is a comic strip that's extremely popular drawn by cartoonist Joaquín Salvador Lavado (aka Quino)

{Photos: Brandie for Out & About Africa}