Artwork & words (c) to the individual artists. Photos link to artist websites (where available).
Alonzo "Zochi" Young
Through the use of light as my paint, the spirit of the
heart as guide, and creative compositions, I attempt to peel away an invisible
veil from the viewer's eye to expose the hidden beauty and spirit of my
subjects.
My intent in "Mandala" is to create an atmosphere
for the viewer in which she or he can achieve a peaceful countenance within
while viewing the piece. The colors and central focus draw the viewer gently
into a peaceful vibration.In this
zone the viewer interacts with the painting and is transformed for a time.This 'peaceful' transformation is
carried into the world and contributes to world peace.
April Watkins
Eesuu Orundide
my flesh is California my roots grow upward from Texas and Louisiana Barbados Ireland Germany my spirit vibrates African frequencies been professin' painter sixteen years Shona style stone sculptor ten years visual artist lifelong
I love the diversity of the Bay Area and the world culture that surrounds me. My drawings are a celebration of that love of culture, history and architecture.
This illustration pays tribute to what I believe is the true
legacy of The Black Panther Party, social programs like 'People's Free
Food Program', 'Free Breakfast for Children Program', stressing
the importance of education and demanding political power.
George Hopkins
Francesca Roccaforte
These photographs are all about entranceways,
transformation, and infinite possibilities. The doors represent the future. The
arches and portals, new experiences, which could be transformative and life
changing. In this way, my work is complimentary to the theme of the Transformative
Visions.
When I studied medicine, I learned about the body: its anatomy, physiology, pathology. When I began to practice, I educated myself about the mind and its influence on the body, learning meditation, hypnosis and guided imagery. Over the years, I have seen how profoundly the political and spiritual realms influence health and illness. Not one of us can heal the ills of our body until we have healed our world, and we cannot heal our world without healing our hearts. This is a job too big for medicine, and so I have turned to art.
"Frontrunners" by Lorraine Bonner
Malik Seneferu
I feel it is my duty as self taught artist to have an internal dialog with the viewer and in many cases the ancestors, where at this point I find inspiration for artistic expression. The purpose of my compositions is to challenge and elevate the social, political, environmental and spiritual issues of the world and it's challenged with oppression. This has been my greatest enrapture.
If we are going to transform our communities past the demonizing messages that fuel militarism, to a vision of peace, we need to understand ourselves, and our history. We have to start telling different stories. Traveling home helped me grow past the internalized oppression of growing up Iranian in a country that shut off communication and diplomacy with Iran. These photos represent my personal process of healing.
Maryam Roberts
Nancy Loquellano
I attribute my personal evolution to creative principles and artistic commitments, aspiring for the extraordinary and intrigue revealed when beauty and truth are actively pursued. Directing residual chaos of my more puzzling existence into creative work, I petition to transcend mundane perception, summoning resolution and transformation for intended appeals. What valuable insights materialize from my efforts, I aim to share in the resulting "experiences" of my process and travels.
In the beginning There was enough Of everything For all of us
The earth warmed our hearts only love mattered.
Mildred Thompson
Pablo Soto Campoamor
My paintings reveal multi-layered themes of Cuban and pan-Caribbean cultural identities and shared realities in the United States. They often include symbolic images of liberation and spiritual illumination inspired by the indigenous and African-based spiritual traditions of the Antilles. Other central themes include symbols and texts from popular Cuban culture (particularly music lyrics and proverbs) and "re-imagined" composites of childhood experiences.
My story begins with a continuous, flowing line, moving on a blank surface and forming interconnected groups of people who are rejoicing, sharing, and celebrating the diversity of life. I bring together eastern spirituality and western techniques of painting and through these contrasting elements, I yearn and search for unity. That unity or balance when achieved brings about a tranquility and joy for me and hopefully for the viewer.
Salma Arastu
TaSin Sabir
My interpretation of transformative visions is a spiritual journey to redefine yourself. This work, part of the "Maafa Series," tells my ancestor's story of the slave trade and shows what beauty has come from it despite the pain and hardship.
Transformation emerges from the self and the sacred. The sacred means so much to me. It is the air I breathe, the steps I take, the way in which I greet and hold conversations, wash dishes, bathe, create art, make love, pray, everything. I define transformation as being in the engagement of experience. Experience evokes, provokes, demands, and expects something to happen. This something can happen in a moment, or in hindsight, when least expected, years later or in an unrelated situation. When this "aha" happens, transformation occurs as new learning takes place for the individual. As a visual artist, I have an evolving role to play in the life of the community and as a conduit through which the art tells its' own story, transformation is possible.
Shahara Godfrey
Tomye' Neal Madison
The growing process for me is to engage with others in a relevant way. Being blessed with artistic skills helps me to come up with creative solutions useful to others. It's a day-to-day process to draw upon the right fragment/skill and allow time to use it for the betterment of others as well as myself. Like this artwork, entitled "The Change I Face," some areas will be more pleasing to embrace, some draw you to touch them more often, and other areas you'll need to look at more closely.
This piece of carved wood, mirrors, and paint is entitled and in honor of Mami Wata, the African goddess protector of rivers and large bodies of water. Mami Wata has historically represented the duality of good and evil.
In the "Paper Bag" series, recycled items are transformed from utilitarian objects to works of art. These pieces move from discarded items to the head of the Buddha.
William Rhodes
Xiomara Castro
"After the Conquest / Despues de la Conquista" is an exploration of mestizo identity in Central America. They are self portraits superimposed over religious symbols, Indigenous and Catholic. The series confronts the mainstream belief in El Salvador that Indigenous culture ended during colonization. These photographs are an inquiry into how Indigenous culture continues, transforms and is at the root of Central American identity.
My hope is to depict what connections with self and others are possible across barriers created by a history of oppression, as people work through the difficult issues of racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism... to build authentic, lasting relationships with each other. With these images I invite you to Be Present, explore and participate in the opportunities for engagement, transformation and connection. Our free peer led support groups, workshops, trainings and consultancies are places of practice for a process that supports inclusive, positive movement. (www.BePresent.org)
Noa Mohlabane
All artwork and words copyright to the individual artist. Photos link to artist websites where available.
Please click for Transformative Visions 2010 WORD and MUSIC.
All the photographs of the artists on this webpage were taken by Oladunni Vandervall. Thank you!
