Yayoi Kusama

"Will London like these works? Will they be in my show?" she plaintively asks Frances Morris, the Tate's head of international art collections.
"But Kusama, there are so many! We are hanging 30 of the new works in one room," answers Morris diplomatically, mindful if the endeavour and the cost of shipping. "However we would love you to come over to London for the opening".
"But I have to paint!" resorts Kusama, who has not left Japan for 12 years. 
"Have you ever painted during a flight? We could give you mini canvases for the journey..." suggests Morris. Kusama tilts her head to one side before bouncing to her feet from her wheelchair, much to the alarm of her assistants, and zooming over to the rack to pull another painting.

(Taken from piece by Harriet Quick for Vogue Magazine)

Yayoi Kusama will be exhibiting at the Tate Modern  9 February  –  5 June 2012. Really looking forward to this exhibition form the 82 year old polka dot queen.

Photo: MCA Australia

Photo: MCA Australia

Also looking forward to the Kusama and Louis Vuitton collaboration... can't wait to see these polka dots interpreted in leather.  Louis Vuitton does artist/ fashion collaborations so well, remember Takashi Murakami

Duro Olowu

One of my favorourite discoveries of 2011 has been Nigerian designer Duro Olowu. I was perusing through the wonderful pages of Net-a-Porter one afternoon when I came across the most heavenly dresses. Heavenly to me because I love good print and garments that are whimsical, especially those that make reference to history.

Duro Olowu is a Nigerian born London designer who trained as a Lawyer but later on decided to pursue his love for fashion and lucky us that he did!  To move from what's expected of you culturally or by your family and pursue something that is a dream or a passion takes an element of risk and confidence and a great deal of vision and planning.  Professions such as Law and Medicine are usually a first choice for African parents when they're choosing careers for their children, I began university life studying Architecture. Usually it's because of the clear career path, you work hard, you gain certain qualifications, join certain societies and you 'automatically' guarantee yourself a well paid job in several parts of the world.


Olowu not only inspires me through his designs and prints (the prints used in his garments are designed and printed by his own label) but I am also inspired by his attention to detail and the path his career has taken. He took his passion by the horns and step by step established his label and has gained international recognition and respect. 

Being an artist or a creative is not as 'flash in the pan' as it may appear. It takes time and a definite process to produce a painting, a poem or a fashion collection. Gaining true recognition requires even more plus an element of being in the right place at the right time and knowing where your work belongs.  You can follow the crowd or a written 'artistic' path but you are more likely to find true success by understanding where you product or design fits, not where it appears to fit, who your audience actually is, not who it should be, again, it's about having a strong vision of your own from the start and not following someone else's vision or plan.


Read Olowu's interview with The Root here.

Photo credit: visionaryartistrymag.com

Photo credit: Style.com

Photo credit: Style.com

Photo credit: Style.com

Uhuru's Wings: Freedom to Fly

Introducing Uhuru's Wings: Freedom to Fly


The beauty and craft of the Maasai culture is one that is loved and celebrated not only by East Africans. We have recently seen so many designers both local and international draw inspiration from this.  Beadwork practiced by the Maasai's have decorated and made beautiful long before they began to inspire designers and artists around the world. Kangas, Vitenge and Maasai shukas have been part of Tanzanian fashion before 'African fashion' became couture. But recently we have seen them emerging on international catwalks and fashion collections.


This first collection from London based jewellery and accessories brand: Heart 365 Emporium is entitled Uhuru's Wings: Freedom to Fly. Drawing inspiration from the Maasai culture was a way for founder Jacqueline Kibacha to celebrate the beauty of the country of her origin, Tanzania and to share with the world that which is our own. Heart 365 will give back to the Maasai community by donating to the Emusoi Centre, Arusha through this collection. The Emusoi Centre is an organisation which finds funds to provide and facilitate opportunities for secondary age Maasai girls both in education and vocationally.


Uhuru's Wings: Freedom to Fly was launched in London earlier this month at the charity event by UK charity Comic Relief called: See Africa Differently.  Visit www.heart365.co.uk to view some of this collection.


For more information contact: info@heart365.co.uk

Johnny Osbourne Truth and Rights

Found myself singing this song this morning. Reggae classic which was released in 1979... a great year...

"Render your hearts and not your garments" translated as Change your life, not just your clothes, that's my thought for the week.

Happy Monday friends.

And so it begins... Heart 365

This time last year I decided that there was more I could do creatively. I love writing and poetry will always be a part of what I do but having spent so much of my life studying and practicing art and textiles I wanted to bring my experience together in a new project I decided to call Heart 365 (more about this later).


I'm happy to say that earlier this month... a year later, I was able to debut a jewellery line  Heart 365 Jewellery London  at the Comic Relief: See Africa Differently launch event.  Heart 365 Jewellery was showcased as part of the Africa Fashion Week London and Uber Africa Exhibition.  The event was hosted by television presenter Andy Akinwolere and we had a special stand up comedy set from award winning comedian Eddie Kadi. It was a great evening where people from international and UK aid and development organisations, mingled with bloggers, music industry people, artists and business men and women all with an interest and a love for Africa.

Here are some pictures from the event including some of the guests trying on the title piece of the collection: Uhuru's Wings.

Myself with Comic Relief Director Amanda Horton- Mastin

Blogger and Fashionista  wearing Uhuru's Wings

Myself with Ugandan designer Jose Hendo

UK Comedian Eddie Kadi wearing Uhuru's Wings

Guests at the event wearing some Heart 365 Jewellery pieces

Ronke Ademiluyi Director of Africa Fashion Week London

I'm really excited about the beginnings of the Heart 365 journey and so grateful to those who have encouraged me through their kind words, phonecalls, messages, time and amazing taste and graphic skills (last two are you in particular Aika). We all know it isn't easy to see someone else's vision before it materlializes, many of us become supporters once we see a persons success... but just to encourage anyone out there considering a leap into their dreams and plans, find your people, just a few, the ones you know are 'for you' and not just for what you could do or could become. There won't be many and in fact you may lose some along the way but the treasure in those that are yours cannot be measured.

Heart 365... It took a year to birth but now that we're out there there's plenty more to come... stay tuned.

Swahili Fashion Week - Eskado Bird

Swahili Fashion Week wrapped up this weekend and I was especially waiting to hear who would win the Up Coming Designer of the Year award. Always excited about new fresh African designers I wasn't disappointed to see that the award went to Eskado Bird.


What I love about this collection? It says effortless chic with the perfect proportions of print, khaki and colour, a little tailoring and enough 'slouch'... and of course the wings, artistically referenced in the outside pockets, frills and drapes. I already know which pieces I'm getting!

Here's some shots from the collection entitled "What's Your Freedom".  For more check out the Facebook page

 

Eskado Bird also took the award for the most impressive stands. Keep flying high team bird!

Paula Hemmings Photography

With my model Kemi Olaofe

A sneak peak from the shoot

 There seem to be so many artists out there but when you need services why is it so hard to find someone?

Yesterday we had the shoot for Heart 365 Jewellery my new project. What a great morning! I love to share so I must definitely recommend Paula Hemmings Photography, professional, helpful and I really felt that she treated my 'baby' as her own!


Check her out at www.paulahemmings.com


And join my jewellery journey via Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Heart365.co.uk more about this soon...

The Nobel Peace Prize 2011

Photo credit: UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

Liberian president and Africa's first elected woman president - 'Iron Lady' Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

photo credit: Jessica Rinaldi

Liberian peace activist responsible for organizing a peace movement that brought an end to the Second Liberian Civil War (2003) - Leymah Gbowee

Photo credit: Khaled Abdullah / Reuters

The chairwoman of Women Journalists Without Chains, Yemeni journalist and activist, the face of the 2011 Yemeni uprising - 'Iron Woman' Tawakkul Karman


Thinking back to how this year started, cries for revolution and freedom from oppressive regimes causing outbreaks in Middle Eastern and African nations, the force of grass roots rising up with the message that there comes a time when only if taken by force can real peace be obtained,  I was excited to know who would be the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize 2011. How inspiring to hear that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to these 3 women.  

That 2 of them carry nicknames of 'iron' shows the kind of qualities needed for "non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work".

2011 I feel has marked the beginning of the new Age of Revolution. I'm proud that the Nobel Peace Prize 2011 was awarded to women of 'iron', women of change.