Interviews and Conversations

Interviews and Conversations

ArtAboveReality

ArtAboveReality
In this episode, we speak with James Dupree, a distinguished American artist, educator, and activist. He has been honored with numerous fellowships and artist residencies across Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Wales. His accolades include the prestigious Living Legend Award from the Black Alumni Society of the University of Pennsylvania. Notably, from 2012 to 2014, Dupree's studio in the Mantua neighborhood of West Philadelphia faced an eminent domain takeover attempt by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA), a battle which concluded with Dupree successfully retaining his studio. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
In Episode Eight, I speak with Los Angeles based artist Floyd Strickland. He critically explores American culture through the perspectives of black and brown children, drawing inspiration from his own childhood to create ethereal, realistic paintings. His work, often featuring his own children, aims to highlight their beauty, strength, and potential, addressing the confidence struggles he observed and experienced in his youth. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
Got a chance to rap with the good brother @floyd_strickland last week for the #CulturalCanvases #podcast and got some insight into his work which I’m a huge fan of. One thing that I love is that he includes his kids as subjects. I got to ask him about how that makes him feel and it was dope to hear how they influenced him to get back into creating. I’ve had the opportunity to curate his works in a show and simply loved them. Can’t wait for y’all to see the full episode this week! Stay tuned! A few new episodes are on the way! Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
Artwork: Orange Functional by Alexandre Arrechea at The Rock at La Cantera Goals. Lots of them. I’ve been running into a lot of #publicart pieces that speak to me heavily. Being an entrepreneur you have to juggle all the goals on your career tree. Some are way more challenging and daunting than others. Some are layups, others are long shots from half court, but you must take them. This work by @alexandrearrechea at #TheRockAtLaCantera in #SanAntonio emphasizes the multitude of the goal tree with this work. Placed in the lot of the new training center for the @spurs, it’s an ideal representation of the hopes they have with their new phenom @wemby as they break ground on shooting for the goal of a championship team again. The piece titled “Orange Functional” is a reminder of the growth of ideas that are planted in fertile soil. No lateral movement, only higher goals. #artabovereality #contemporaryart #basketball #public #texas #goals #ideas #tree #orange #basketballrim #alexandrearrechea #orangefunctional #lacantera Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
In this episode, I talk with Ezra McCoy, an Atlanta-based fiction writer, cultural critic, and essayist. His work explores the intersections of labor, love, and liberation in class-based society as found in literature, art, music, history, and politics. His work is featured or forthcoming in Rotary, Moguldom, Bold Culture, Medium.com, and his regular newsletter, Ezra Indited. Let’s take a listen. Welcome to "Cultural Canvases: Black Men Reshaping Fine Art and Creative Spaces" presented by ArtAboveReality — the podcast that dives deep into the vibrant world of contemporary art, design, and digital creativity through the lenses of Black male professionals. Join me, Badir McCleary, your host, and curator, as we venture on a journey through the fascinating narratives and insightful perspectives of these groundbreaking artists and visionaries. In each episode, we'll unravel the threads of their unique journeys, exploring the challenges they've overcome, the triumphs that define their artistic narratives, and the goals that keep them putting in overtime in their studios and boardrooms. From gallery walls to global stages, we'll celebrate these diverse talents that are redefining the face of creativity. But that's not all. "Cultural Canvases" goes beyond the canvas, delving into the broader ecosystem. Tune in for engaging discussions on current events impacting the creative space, market trends, and the rich historical context that shapes contemporary expression. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
On the road and before I got to the south I paid a visit to the @noahpurifoyfoundation, a beautiful outdoor museum that highlights the life work of artist #NoahPurifoy. I’ve been to this place over 30 times and it just gets better each time. I always find something new as the team does an amazing job of keeping the grounds and work as if Noah was still there working. One piece I may have overlooked in my many visits was Weathervane, 1990. This beautiful piece reminds me of “Higher Goals” by #davidhammons and also lends itself to Christianity with the thorns around the head of Christ during crucifixion. There is so much dialogue in the piece and the works around it that the connections and conversations get better with each visit. It’s like a retreat for art education, space creation, and thinking through ideas. I go there for all of that. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
Rhapsody, 2014 by John Yancey with Luis Alicea and Steven B. Jones. Dr. Charles E. Urdy Plaza, East 11th Street, (East Austin) Austin TX. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
Trust Your Struggles, 2018 by Ryan Runcie with Tyson Davis. African American Cultural District Facility, East 11th Street, Austin TX. Ryan Runcie is a studio artist, muralist, and painting instructor based in Austin, Texas. With a BFA from Texas State, he helps to advocate for local artists and employs his art as a medium to challenge conventional notions of identity, leveraging color to transcend stereotypical boundaries. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
Welcome to "Cultural Canvases: Black Men Reshaping Fine Art and Creative Spaces" presented by ArtAboveReality — the podcast that dives deep into the vibrant world of contemporary art, design, and digital creativity through the lenses of Black male professionals. Join me, Badir McCleary, your host, and curator, as we venture on a journey through the fascinating narratives and insightful perspectives of these groundbreaking artists and visionaries. In this episode, I chat with Philadelphia-based artist Tim McFarlane who’s process relies on a sense of interdependence and chance happenings, which allows for multiple meanings in the work that can be explored by the viewer. Merging aspects of my lived experience, observations of changes occurring around me, and imagined scenarios, I make non-objective work reflecting broad life and memory experiences. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
Walking downtown and ran into a pioneer. Octavius Valentine Catto (1839 – 1871) was one of Philadelphia’s most influential African American leaders during the 19th century. Inspired by the Civil War, Catto became an adamant activist for the abolition of slavery and the establishment of equal rights for all men, regardless of race. He successfully fought for the desegregation of Philadelphia’s public trolleys and ratification of the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, which bars voting discrimination based on race. In addition to his work as a Civil Rights activist, he was also an educator, scholar, writer, and accomplished baseball player – helping to recognize Philadelphia as a Negro baseball league focal point. Catto was only thirty-two when he was shot and killed outside of his home on Philadelphia’s South Street on October 10, 1871, the first election day that African Americans were allowed to vote. His activism and efforts to get African Americans to the polls led to his murder. This violent action was seen as a result of widespread intimidation by whites to deter the black vote. The City Hall site inspired artist Branly Cadet (@bc_sculptor) to create a memorial that highlighted Catto’s political efforts in the city. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
One of the coolest artists in the city was #CharlesSearles. His work ‘Striving, 1995’ is his first public art work and it’s a beauty. This piece is apropos as Searles grew up in the neighborhood and strived to become a recognized name in the arts. The work was dedicated to #RichardAllen, an enslaved black man who bought his freedom and became a prominent citizen in the city. Charles Searles was one of several Black students to win the Cresson scholarship: Laura Wheeler Waring, Ellen Powell Tiberino, Raymond Saunders and Louis B. Sloan. This brother was a pioneer for arts in the city of #Philadelphia. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
Cultural Canvases: Black Men Reshaping Fine Art and Creative Spaces presented by ArtAboveReality — the podcast that dives deep into the vibrant world of contemporary art, design, and digital creativity through the lenses of Black male professionals. Join me, Badir McCleary, your host, and curator, as we venture on a journey through the fascinating narratives and insightful perspectives of these groundbreaking artists and visionaries. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
Cultural Canvases: Black Men Reshaping Fine Art and Creative Spaces presented by ArtAboveReality — the podcast that dives deep into the vibrant world of contemporary art, design, and digital creativity through the lenses of Black male professionals. Join me, Badir McCleary, your host, and curator, as we venture on a journey through the fascinating narratives and insightful perspectives of these groundbreaking artists and visionaries. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join
#FallenThroughTheCracks: Black Artists in History - Geoffrey Holder
#FallenThroughTheCracks: Black Artists in History - Valerie Maynard
#FallenThroughTheCracks: Black Artists in History - Tina Allen
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