Respites
A Gathering of Young Artists
Ivy F. DeShield, contributing editor
ivydeshield@gmail.com
I don’t believe we ever feel as alive as we do when we’re reveling in the “feel good moments” of life. Local, independent creative, J’Nell Jordan (www.jnelljordan.com), describes these carefree flashes depicted in her visual art as “those moments where figures are caught in the vibe of the music, posing, flirting or caught mid-smile.” Recreating images derived from collected photographs using oils, acrylics, and other media, J’Nell captures the essence of pop culture at play through her uninhibited subjects and bold, vibrant style. Based in Springfield, Virginia, this fresh, young artist belongs to the new generation of artists that are living unabashedly in the moment and interpreting and documenting our present world from one innovative project to the next. Their work — natural, original, and inspired — was on display recently at RAW: Washington, DC/STIMULUS March 2012, a national monthly arts showcase featuring independent artists in visual art, film, fashion, music, hair & makeup artistry, photography, models and performing art. The mission of RAW is to educate, connect and expose emerging artists in assorted communities nationwide.
On the evening of March 8th, Café Asia, an Asian Fusion bar and lounge (1720 I St., NW), housed the animated party of artists, creations, and art lovers in a spacious, trendy warehouse setting turned compact once the doors opened and the long line of attendees flooded inside. My friend and I were among the excited crowd and immediately rushed in partly to escape from the chilly city winds and also to not the miss the opportunity to embrace every artist in house that night. An electric atmosphere pulsed heavily, sparked by the playful balance between the DJ’s iconoclastic beats and the open, unrehearsed, and forceful passions of the young artists.
In that place, I felt at home. The art was familiar to me. I’ve seen these subjects walking the street everyday. I’ve caught glimpses of these patterns, designs and media in my travels, underground metro stations, store windows, snapshots and within the natural elements of earth, water, air and fire. Many of the artists are novices in the world of art and design; yet, their unpracticed touch lends such a raw, untapped beauty to their work that I don’t wish them the often stale stench of experience. Their tributes to mainstream society and their respective cultures are alive — on fire!
Lorraine & Sarah Oyetubo head the fashion design team Oye Glam (www.oyeglam.com) and reflect the beauty of their team’s countries, Jamaica and Nigeria, as well as the African Diaspora as a whole, in their globally inspired jewelry pieces. Each of their distinctly flavored designs adorned their models gracefully and naturally. I especially loved the over-sized, chunky patterned bracelets (African-inspired) and the lengthy multi-strand gold necklaces tipped with brilliant beads and feathers, a nod to the Americas. Since their recent inception in November 2011, Oye Glam has been moving with an exertive power to “share [their] homelands' wealth of culture, beauty, history and originality with [the world]”.
This eclectic gallery of local, young artists in the heart of the District had a special appeal to me, and as this was my first visit, I can truly say that I look forward to returning in future months to relive the experience with an entirely new set of natural born artists.
To check out RAW in your local area, go to www.rawartists.org. (All article quotes cited from RAW website artist profiles.) Pictured artist is J’Nell Jordan with work, “Vertical”.
