“I was presented an opportunity to do a short doc on a local figure concerned with social issues and I immediately thought of Shade. Azha and Apryl have built a brand that does so well to highlight artists that wouldn't get recognition from more mainstream outlets while doing it in a way that's so true to themselves. When I spent time talking to them, in their space, I realized how synonymous Shade is to them and how much of themselves they put into their work. Seeing artists be able to have their writing and imagery recognized almost immediately as their own is a really cool thing, and I was interested in exploring that with Shade. Azha and Apryl were psyched from the first emails we exchanged and that just reinforced what they've said in the past about encouraging fellow artists like themselves. Seeing them genuinely excited about the project took a big load off and made it easier to have a real conversation. Like a lot of documentaries, only a fraction of what I recorded made it in the final edit, so stick with Shade to learn more.” - words from the filmmaker
We spent the day in Oakland, at Shade HQ, where we got to talk about our past, the present and future aspirations for our passion project. This is the first look into our space and thoughts as a creative duo. If you’ve been with us since the beginning you know that Shade has lived through an evolution of content and contributions to our community. We are so excited to share this project with all of you. Thanks for sticking around. Stay critical.
March is Women’s History Month and today marks an international celebration of women. One year ago, we were super excited to be featured on Dazed Digital’s 2016 list of inspiring women which inspired us to share our list with you.
Read more about these incredible icons and their work that continues to motivate us to create and empower each other.
SHADE 2017
Do not delete caption.
1. Angela Davis - Political Activist, Abolitionist
Angela Davis is the embodiment of power and resilience. If you are not already familiar with her work, which is highly unlikely, she is a an academic scholar, writer, activist, and educator. Davis has devoted decades to anti prison work and gender equity. She is known for her renowned writings on the intersections of race and gender in Women, Race & Class. Davis, now retired, taught critical and conscious feminist theory at the University of Santa Cruz. She is a co-founder of Critical Resistance, a national organization always combatting the expanding and existing prison industrial complex. Davis’ contributions to our social consciousness and politics could never be summarized in such a small space. Angela Davis for President 2020!
2. Marsha P. Johnson - Transgender Rights Activist
The “P” stands for “pay it no mind”. Johnson was a major vanguard in the gay liberation movement of the 60s & 70s. She was present at the Stonewall Riots and said to have been one of the many important people who founded this movement. Among many contributions in advocacy for gay and transgender liberation, Johnson co founded STAR: Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, with fellow activist Sylvia Rivera. Johnson lived unabashedly showing power in the beauty of gender nonconformity. To this day, Johnson’s untimely death has not been solved or declared as what it was, an act of violence against the transgender community. Watch Pay It No Mind - The Life & Times of Marsha P. Johnson here.
3. Ida B. Wells - Civil Rights Leader, Women’s Right’s Activist
Ida Barnett Wells was a civil rights activist who traveled the nation to expose white violence and speak against the lynching of black victims. She was a journalist and owner of a Memphis newspaper- The Free Speech and Headlight, which was later destroyed at the hands of racist violence. In 1909, Wells also co founded the NAACP. She fought for the civil and political rights of the black community up until her final days.
4. Mae C. Jemison - Engineer, NASA Astronaut, & Scientist
Dr. Jemison followed her dreams all the way to the edge of the universe. In 1992, she became the first black woman to go to space aboard Endeavour. Jemison was chosen amongst thousands of candidates for rigorous space missions like this one. For her achievement, she received numerous honorary awards and degrees. Jemison left her career as an astronaut to teach at Dartmouth all while being a member of quite a few prestigious, scientific boards. She was truly an embodiment of the future.
She’s super fly and we’re pretty sure we’ve all pretended to be in one of her futuristic music videos at some point in our childhood. We couldn’t even successfully express to you, in this digital landscape, how influential Missy is to every aspect of existing. For starters, she has worked with some of the most idolized names in music (hint: long time collaborator Timbaland, and of course the queen Aaliyah..) She gave us Lose Control and won a Grammy! Missy is unmatched and we’re convinced there is not one thing she can’t do.
6. Yayoi Kusama - Painter, Mulitmedia Visual Artist
More than likely, you’ve seen a Yayoi Kusama in the images floating around Tumblr. It’s hard to miss a room full of twinkling lights and mirrors or a bright white room covered in polka dots, like an art lover’s fun house. Kusama’s notable, surrealist style is a story of her own tribulations with mental health. Her dissociative state would produce these hallucinations of patterns over taking the walls and spaces around her. In the 70s Kusama lived in a mental hospital, by choice, and continued to produce the work she is well known for. She took NYC by a storm, gaining notoriety amongst the great modern artists of the time. To this day, Kusama still makes appearance in her eccentric fashion and continues to share her vision in immersive installations that we have come to know. Go visit Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room until January 2018 @ the Broad in LA.
7. Rigoberta Menchú - Nobel Prize Winner, Indigenous Rights Activist
As a Maya youth growing up in Guatemala, she witnessed the violences of more than decades of internal conflict in which the government turned on the indigenous community. The human rights of the Indian peoples of Guatemala were abused on the accusation that they were left leaning and “anti-government”. Military squads raided indigenous villages and any refugees were in dire danger. Menchú witnessed the torture and murder of her own parents in the horror stricken country, at a young age. Her mother taught her to fend for herself and others. Menchú won a Nobel prize in 1994 for her Indian rights advocacy work. She has since helped bring awareness and aid to the plight of her indigenous community through her foundation.
8. Elaine Welteroth - Teen Vogue Editor-In-Chief, Journalist
From Fremont, California the former Health & Beauty of Teen Vogue now serves as Editor-In- Chief of the publication. She is a journalist and marketing genius and is the first black female Editor the publication has had. At 30, she is also the youngest Editor-In-Chief in Teen Vogue’s history. Welteroth’s career includes her title as Senior Beauty Editor at Glamour as well as Beauty & Style Editor at Ebony Magazine. Since her appointment to this position she has transformed Teen Vogue into a platform for representation and social-political advocacy. Welteroth is responsible for the importance that this endeavor brings to the industry of youth publications. She’s a real boss!
9. Ava DuVernay - Director, Screenwriter, Oscar nominated filmmaker
We’re patiently waiting for DuVernay to receive the Oscar she deserves. In the past year she has been nominated for a Golden Globe and two Oscars making her the first black female director to be up for Best Picture and Best Director. DuVernay is a brilliant documentarian from Long Beach, California. She is co-founder of the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement which is dedicated to the release and distribution of black indie movies. Selma (2014) made history with its depiction of civil rights leadership and truth in history. Watch 13th, a film on Netflix, focusing on the violence of mass incarceration and our criminal justice system.
10. Sacheen Littlefeather - Native American Civil Rights Activist, Actress
Sacheen Littlefeather is the truly remarkable woman behind the infamous speech at the 1973 Oscars.Marlon Brando won Best Actor and declined. Brando did not take the stage that night. Instead, Sacheen Littlefeather gave an astounding speech. Despite the pressure to be quiet and the crowd of antagonistic boos and disapproval, Sacheen delivered a speech informing the Oscars of the injustice against Native Americans in the film industry. Her speech rung true then and is even more a symbol of today’s continuing, non-inclusionary nature of award shows. She made her most profound statement of truth with the strength and respect and yet upon her escort off stage was met with racist imitations of war cries and stereotypical sounds. Beyond this moment, Littlefeather continues to use her position to inform of the continual injustices against natives and all people of color. Watch her relevant speech at the 45th Annual Academy Awards here.
In this short documentary by visual artist, Zoe Lawrence, we are welcomed into Akia’s world. Tinted lavender with the lush hues of Florida’s foliage, this makes the most intimate setting for the portrait of an artist. 22 year old model and photographer Akia shares the journey and reality of self exploration on the intersection of blackness and queerness. He poignantly talks about the Black Experience and how important it is to communicate both the positive and the negative: a discussion that needs more attention.
Akia speaks to the importance of preserving culture amongst self and a community that might otherwise be lost to erasure and the reality of non inclusivity. Lawrence’s work is an important piece in the documentation of the Black queer community as the creator’s of life, “from slang on down to the article of clothing.” Akia narrates the importance of bringing queer black men out of a two dimensional space to show the depth of character through struggles, sadness, and credence. The results leave Akia's confident identity glowing frame by frame.
“I’m blessed to be in this space. It’s a weird space to be in but I feel like I’m equipped. God gave me this position because I am able to navigate it. We’re documenting the black male experience. We’re trying to make spaces for the black woman experience. You are the blue print and you need to realize that.”
As the fog of new years resolutions fade in the back of our minds, and a new administration comes into power over our rights, I reflected on the concept of Koyaanisqatsi. Koyaanisqatsi means moral corruption and turmoil. Others say it means life out of balance. Time will always be constant and life will continue to have the split seconds of bliss or sadness spontaneously. The question I ask or I am motivating is that in the cycle of time one should smile.
Brit Weathers is an LA native and artist who communicates through film & critical creativity. Her work is centered in art literacy, industrial design & designing with social purpose. "I want to create more media that can be soothing to the soul but sparks the mind. Visuals are a great medium to obtain that goal.”
Last week we hosted Urban Outfitters’ Class of 2017 event in San Francisco. Class of 2017 is a campaign dedicated to youth empowerment through the arts, with events being held in major cities across the nation. We were able to collaborate on exclusive totes where all the proceeds went to SOMArts, a San Francisco arts & culture center. Thanks to everyone who came out to the event and for always supporting us.
Check out the recap on the Urban Outfitters Blog now!
Beyond excited to be a part of a special q&a with @uosanfrancisco moderated by @rgb_ . We worked on limited amount of exclusive totes with @urbanoutfitters . The donations from the purchase will be going to @somarts so get there early ! New sticker & reprint of "I'm Sorry We Lied" will be for sale as well , see you there guys !!! 🌹🌹🌹 Located at the the 80 Powell St. location in San Francisco from 6-8pm on Thursday 1/12 !
Yazmine’s mixes painted Summer 2015 with the sounds of Favela~trap and 90s R&B grooves. We finally got a look into her mind and what inspires her creativity. She blessed us with H O L D O N a funky Empowering Mix exclusively for Shade.
Photography by Zoé Lawrence
Listen to “ H O L D O N ” on the Shade Soundcloud & read the interview below.
SHADE 2016
Please Do Not delete caption.
S: What 3 words best describe Yazmine Rosario?
Y: I'd have to say: Unafraid, Aware, Open
S: Who’s your biggest musical/creative inspiration?
Y: My biggest creative inspiration would have to be sitting at home 12 years old watching female DJs spin and thinking, "Wow, I can do this." Its always been difficult to grasp everything that goes on in my hectic life and mixing is one thing that I always go back to, to keep me whole and give me that inspiration.
S: Why did you start DJing?
Y: I started DJing because I was the tall nerdy girl that knew all the music, and singing just wasn't for me. So, I thought this would be a great outlet to still bring my love for music out to the world.
S: Name one song that gives you nostalgia.
Y: There are so many songs that give me nostalgia, but one that always touches my soul is Sade - Somebody Already Broke My Heart
S: We notice that you have a really solid group of girls around you. Do they influence any aspect of your work how/why?
Y: The ladies in my life keep me going. Their love keeps me whole. Never really having a good relationship with my siblings growing up, it was always so refreshing to know (these past few years) that we are this group of women, who don't judge one another. Instead, we respect and support each other in every way. They are a huge sense of my motivation by rooting for me with the things I do, and giving me support that I didn't have for quite some time.
S: What should readers expect to see from you in 2017?
Y: Readers should expect A LOT. I don't want to jinx myself but entering a new year with new great possibilities, and not being 17 anymore will allow me to reach the certain heights I know I can achieve. Just hoping people believe in me during the process.
We’re back from LA & just released our second podcast: Read A Book. In Episode 2, we talk about living in Trump’s America, healing, activism, and CAMP FLOG GNAW!
Go listen on our Soundcloud.
Modern and contemporary art is largely documented and showcased through a Eurocentric eye with little to no recognition for artists of color through the decades. Museums are institutions. It is important to consider how our art is consumed by viewers in different spaces as well as what factors affect the curatorial process. Art becomes a colonized practice when the work or material that is being shown are people’s actual histories not told from their own perspective. It is very disrespectful for these institutions to display our experiences and creations as nothing more than a series of “artifacts” as if we’re not here. This is a form of erasure. Some of the most notable modern and contemporary art museums only dedicate small fractions of their space to artists of color. We are far more than antiquated displays that reduce and fragment our stories. We want our art to be respected and uplifted on its own. This is why underground and non-institutional art spaces are just as relevant as renowned museums (if not more important). We’ve compiled a very mini list of museums and spaces, throughout LA & the Bay, with intersectional art practice. We encourage you to learn more about/support your local art spaces and museums in efforts to get the representation we deserve. With you, the list would truly go on.
What I love about Amy is everything you might not know about her. She is everywhere yet she remains a mystery to you. Chances are you’ve seen her mug on Instagram or read one of her many Shrek related tweets. She is a charm. Take one look at her selfies and you’ll see that they stand alone as individual art pieces. Amidst each vibrant portrait is a collection of what some might describe as grotesque creations. But to Amy’s eye it beholds beauty. What are you thinking Amy Louise?
Do not delete caption.
SHADE 2016
Read the interview below.
S: Where do you currently live and how do your surroundings influence your work, if at all?
I’m currently based in Sydney, Australia. It’s a very interesting city but I wouldn’t particularly consider it a place that inspires my work. I spend most of my time in my studio and that’s where my inspiration really cultivates.
S: Your work is very tactile. How have the mediums you work with evolved since you first began creating?
Honestly, I’m so glad that I transitioned from painting/illustration into 3D works. When I first started experimenting, it was so exciting to be completely hands on and involved with my sculptures and eventually it developed into a deep and understanding relationship with the senses. I wanted my audience to have that same experience too- especially because I noticed that most works situated in gallery contexts are so separate to us (I’m always that person who’s there, literally throwing a tantrum & crying because I know I can’t just get in there and touch the works.) That intrinsic desire to become familiar with something through touch/smell/sound/sight inspired me to create interactive works that attempt to satisfy the audience’s sensory experience.
S: As a WoC our art is always politicized without our voices actually being heard. What do you have to say about the politics of art?
There are soooo many things I could say about the politics of art, especially when my identity as a WoC is at issue. When it comes to my practice, I think a lot of people critique my art as being linked to feminism- but “feminism” in its most basic understanding. I hate that my art is often labeled “feminist” simply because I’m a female artist whose work refers to breasts. It just feeds into these archaic ideas that breasts equate to “the female body” and that works created by women are immediately feminist. While the root of my practice is political, I’m tired of trying to remove my work from any association with essentialism and the non-inclusiveness of white feminism. It sucks that our voices are erased, but at the same time we aren’t granted the freedom of not having to explain ourselves or our art. I have a very odd relationship with the politics of art, but I really think being a WoC amplifies the way in which your work will be critiqued from a very superficial and out-dated lens.
S: What is your art community like in Australia? How do you bring visibility to necessary issues?
The art community in Australia is diminishing, and has been for quite a long time now. Art is all about survival, and it surprises me that many young artists aren’t aware of grants- it’s a way of nourishing your practice and bringing creative visions to life without having to literally become a starving artist. With that being said, it needs to be brought to light that our government is taking away significant funds for grants and ultimately destroying the creative culture in our country. On top of this, there’s a lot of tension about the fate of our art schools- with proposed termination of 2 of the top art institutions in Sydney. It just makes you think about what the future of arts education will be like- if there will be one at all. The corrupt government and education system are responsible for this and it’s really so heart wrenching to see that every aspect of the arts in Australia is being pulled a part and taken away from us and it’s something worth fighting for.
S: How does music, color, film and social media influence your creative process?
They all have a bigger impact on my creative process than I realise, like, sometimes I will catch myself unintentionally working with colour palettes inspired by films. I’m a very visual person so whenever I’m going through my feed on ig/twitter I’ll pick up on a lot of recurring colours and textures and I guess that kinda influences the way I work- plus I’m constantly inspired by the energy of a lot of people I follow on social media.
S: Food is a prominent theme in your work. How do you interact with these objects on a personal level?
The relationship I have with food (ethnic food in particular) is pretty complicated, but I found a way to resolve these issues through art. When I was younger, I was rather white-washed, to the extent that I was embarrassed to eat food brought from home in fear of being picked on by other kids. This embarrassment turned into years of not even wanting to associate myself with my culture. Once I was old enough to really understand this, I began to work closely with these foods as a homage.
S: What has helped you persevere most? Is there anything else you want to say to young artists of color all throughout the movement?
Knowing that many other young artists of colour are currently surviving (and thriving!) in the art world and receiving the recognition they deserve really gives me hope that the future of art isn’t completely in shambles. This is super corny but I think it’s important that we continue using our voice and presence to encourage the next generation of artists of colour to be unafraid of working hard and investing yourself into your art because you WILL get somewhere in this big crazy world.
We collaborated with LA’s very own multimedia artist, Missing Textures, on our very first Shade t shirt release. Luke’s work confronts issues within our communities with gentrification, representation and our vulnerability as people of color. The journey in creating this release was significant to us with the recent loss of our best friend Terrence. This was a tragedy due to gun violence and systemic disregard for black lives. This is for y o u. We want this release to to shine a light on being comfortable with your complexities and being y o u. This is wearable art that embraces what we think and feel. What’s the thing that you’re waiting for? Seek it. Live it. Shade Zine is with you.
"identity is a really personal aspect of the self. i find myself too guarded and too trusting all at once. it's an act of love and trust and care when i share a piece of myself—the intersections inside and outside of me are the most valuable things in my life. i know i can only find myself with you; i wait a lot for myself, but i can't be waiting to tell someone that they mean a lot to me. i'm learning and i can't wait to share it with you." - Luke Kim
Our friends and supporters have been asking us about a podcast for a while so we finally got to sit down and record our first official Shade podcast.
This episode we discussed mental health in communities of color, approaches to self care and Azha gives a passionate review of Solange’s new album!
We hope you all enjoy and are excited to participate in any future podcasts we might have.
Stay critical!
Calling this is a mix is kinda misleading. This is more of a sonic story, an arrangement of sounds that code out my lemonade type tension and triumph that expands from an intimate self love to the love I feel in my relationships and culture. It sounds sweet and scary, gentle and startling, romantic and cold, because it's like me - I love hard but I'm not the easiest to understand. I can be the most off-putting in my most transparent moments. But I'll let you call this passion rude because I ran out of time to sugar coat. I have to act now and those I love must be just as certain about who we are and what we’re making together, if not, they can cut their allies and play themselves if they choose to. Although, I do dream of coming together and staying together because we're in a prominent time where our creations can manifest quickly and fruitfully if we stay to see it through. We mustn't be afraid to love unconditionally, take risks, and express ourselves freely. This is how we can cut out our fears and doubts, through our superpowers to love and express, by proving to each other how powerful we can be together. Making this was a great release of the tension and passion I've felt in my precious relationships and crafts. At the heart of the rude move is a certainty of self and a trust in love and expression, that's what it's really about.
Hobbies: filmmaking and occasionally skateboarding
What inspired you to make Barbie World?
My friends and I wanted to recreate another video we did, titled “BARBIE GIRLS”, which included the same theme of violence seen through a woman’s eye; except for this video we wanted it to be shot in film. The Barbie videos are a complex ideology of female empowerment through the use of popular figures in a female society such as the Barbie doll. But we use what has been taught to us to break barriers with rap music which may contrast with the visual of pretty little girls.
The girls in this video are very empowered. What is the meaning of this?
They are empowered because of events that put them through compromising positions, which brought them out to be stronger individuals. The juxtaposition of the violent music and the soft Barbie image show an important contrast of the feminine individual, and our capability to be powerful and cathartic. Maybe women are shown to be passive and emotional, and that can be portrayed in the first video. But there is also a side that exists of rage and violence. We would like to see that side come out more.
We know the girls are your friends. What is your clique up to?
We are all very different girls, but we each share a strong familiarity with each other and our interests. We plan to keep putting out these videos with the common themes that we have been using, such as the “Barbie” reference which can hold our work to a state of recognition.
What is something you think is important in 2016?
I think it’s important to find balance between holding holding your own interests high, and staying compassionate to others. I feel like I’m seeing less compassion these days, and more greed.
