NEW ART EXHIBIT: Afro-Pop – Contemporizing Africana Images & Concepts, December 3rd at 5pm on First Friday in Old City. Afro-pop fuses bold pop color and strong Africana images. It focuses on contemporary/modern Africana influences of the human identity which connected to our history. The exhibit will feature three young prolific visual artists Nataki McNeal Bhatti , Reina 76 and Willis Nomo, whose artwork goes beyond the canvas and what is normally seen or encountered …Afro-Pop takes it to another level!
Nataki McNeal Bhatti represents the figurative side of Afro-Pop. “My work uses contemporary images of the black bust to subscribe meanings and connections to our African and indigenous heritage. The images are meant to conjure the feelings of belonging and evoke memories of our ancestors. The one common thread in my paintings is the use of bold pop color and chroma.” Her mantra is to focus on the African American identity upon reclaiming the indigenous heritage and contesting the tabula rasa (blank blackboard).
King not SlavesReina 76 represents the technical side of Afro-Pop. She portrays and interprets the odd and difficult positions of identity and life with words in her art. “I received Venezuelan influences from my mother and African American from my father, which are both heavily portrayed in my work. It is the traditional African rooted images and the wild Venezuelan Amazon tribal themes you experience. The “POP” is me; I was exposed to Punk Rock and the Grunge Movement.” The style and technique of Reina 76’s work vibrate and rocks all preconceived notions about society altering your thoughts.
ARTIST RECEPTION: If This Art Could Talk …In conjunction with Afro Pop; Contemporizing Africana Images & Concepts, December 16 at 6pm Artist Reception, spoken word artists, Aaron “Tru” Selvey, Dennise “CM Spence” Hill and MaDonna “Sankofa” AtAwotwi will perform “If This Art Could Talk”. As a collaboration with featured painter, Nataki McNeal Bhatti, the Harrisburg natives exact will perform amazing guerrilla performance art in response to Nataki’s paintings. The performance will push the viewer’s interpretation and perception of the work while actively deepening gallery goers art experience.
Vivant Art Collection is a premiere cultural arts destination, anchored on Gallery Row, in the heart of the Historic District of Old City, Philadelphia. Vivant is a vibrant mainstay in the arts and culture scene throughout the east coast. We feature cultural art from Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. The gallery specializes in Haitian art, African masks and Island ceramics, which are all best described as vibrant, rich and bold. The gallery also features local artists, whose artworks are all embedded within cultural stories that illuminates their perspectives, experiences & cultures. For details visit: www.vivantartcollection.com
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