The Colours of Bart Cooper

Art may be a mirror for culture. It may be the means to a clearer perception of what makes us white or black, Yoruba or Masai, masculine or feminine, rich or not rich. Art may be a retelling of our histories, our traditions or the declaration of our faith. But in all, art as a universal form of expression is about people and how we are all alike.

Bart Cooper, born in Liberia, living and working in Los Angeles is one very promising contemporary narrator of great stories through the medium of art. He has been the centre of many important art shows, was recognized enought to be in the position to contribute a mural for the BET experience of 2017.

Cooper's pieces bear the contemporary ecletic style: vibrant, captivating and unabashed like lightning. These are works that just lifts you, and humbles you at the same time. One feels the rooting, the prowess of the hand which formed these masterpieces. Perhaps this is what you expect of a person who's been making art since his fingers could firmly hold a pencil.

Photo Credit: Instagram @b_art1

Comments

Delmaine Donson

I've always said art is not meant to just tickle or charm you. It should rip you open and give your fine head the chance to re-learn something, give you a fresh insight. So look at these representations of the black woman. What do you see? I see brown/black skin, glorious curly/kinky hair, sun, light and brilliant colours, I see beauty and a few things I can't name and I think this is the complete truth. What do you see? Cape Town based artist Delmaine Donson affirms that what she wants is to empower women of colour with her art, to influence people's perception of beauty in this age especially as it concerns women of colour. Aside from making interesting digital art, Delmaine is also a photographer. You can see more of her creations on her website and on Instagram. Photo Credit: Instagram @delmainedonson_art

This Farm In Benin is Africa's Model of Sustainable Agriculture

Songhai Farms located in the Republic of Benin is perhaps the number one model of sustainable agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. The farm operates on the principle of "zero waste' where every output is utilized in a way that there is no waste, and that sustainability is assured. Basically, it is a system that mimics the way our natural ecosystems work. Father Godfrey Nzamujo, an expatriate African priest and former instructor at UC, Irvine runs the agricultural estate which he founded in 1985 with the aim of tackling hunger and creating jobs, while protecting the environment. So far, it cannot be said that he has hasn't made good success in the actualization of this vision. Nzamujo has degrees in science and engineering including a PhD in Microbiology. He lives in the farm and regularly updates his methods. In sustainable agriculture, the farming system operates in such a way that external inputs like synthetic fertilizers, fossil fuels and other chemicals w...

Nest-like Sculptural Installations of Laura Ellen Bacon

They scale and cling to buildings, walls, trees, and other living spaces like some strange yet truly relatable natural forms. Laura Ellen Bacon's sculptural installations are like enlarged replicas of those structures designed by smaller biological life forms like birds and insects. What makes her sculptures even more fascinating is the way they curl and weave across surfaces and appear like organisms that are alive, breathing. You'd think they are capable of shifting position on their own at anytime. A neat, exquisite emulation of nature! One would wonder how these sculptures are made. Well, first you have to know that Bacon's primary building material here are willow branches. And it's more than basketry really, even though the construction involves twisting, tying and knotting by hand and also with the aid of a few craft tools. What you have is actually a complicated system of weaves and knots coming together to present a solid, powerful, sinuous fa...

Tenane Faotu Blog

Search This Blog