For Women

“For Women” is a two-woman exhibition inspired by Nina Simone’s classic song, “Four Women”. This exhibition, composed of small to large scale paintings and photographs, is an exploration of sexuality, abuse, and identity. Philadelphia based artists Tatyana Fazlalizadeh (Philly 360 Creative Ambassador) and Lillian Cotton, two young, emerging African-American women artists, respectively create socially inspired work. In this exhibition, their focus will be on issues that surround the characters detailed in Nina Simone’s “Four Women”, the same issues that fall upon contemporary African-American women, including the artists themselves. The exhibition and reception will be held on September 17th, 2010, from 6-10pm, at Vivant Art Collection in Philadelphia.

I’ve been doing a lot of paintings of women. There are a number of topics and themes related to women I’ve been wanting to explore in my paintings. This show will be a display of some of those paintings and themes. I invited my friend Lillian Cotton, a fantastic painter, to do this show with me. Though her painting style differs from mine, her subject matter is similar, and I think our work will play nicely together in this exhibition.

The show is being sponsored by GPTMC’s Philly 360, the campaign that named me a Creative Ambassador of Philadelphia. And it is being held at the fabulous gallery, Vivant Art Collection in gallery central Old City.

The reception will feature food, drink, the premiere of my Philly 360 video, and I’ll be revealing NEW work not yet seen on my blog or website.

So come.

September 17th, 2010
6 – 10pm
Vivant Art Collection
60 N. 2nd St, Philadelphia

Black Hair and Flowers: Stephanie

Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Oil on canvas, 2010

Sedrick Miles

Some people inspire me to be successful in the form of recognition and money. And others inspire me to find success simply by creating beautiful and sincere work. Sedrick Miles is the latter.

Sedrick Miles, when asked for his favorite photo out of all the photos he’s taken:

This is my favorite. It was taken during the summer of 2000 on Ilford black and white film. I call it “Tre’”. The three little boys were homeless children from the Bronx. The county services sponsored summer camp opportunities for families through an organization called Homes For the Homeless. The camp was called Wakonda in Bear Mountain , NY.

I thought the boy on the left looked like Tony Terry, the eighties singer. (look him up, it’s worth it.) Most of these kids had never been off their block, so to be out in the mountains was very exciting for them. It was amazing to watch them freak out at the sight of a butterfly. Like most children, these three were wound up with energy and didn’t know they were tired (parents understand this) until I made them sit down for a little while. When they did, they kind of all went into their own heads And I took this shot with my Canon Elan II. I dont remember the settings, but I’m sure I had late afternoon sun, filtered through the trees to thank for the light.

I love that shot. I have been blessed to work for over 15 years in communities of color helping children see the light in themselves. This photo always reminds me of that. Thanks for asking.