Mark Bradford-Artist

Mark Bradford is a contemporary artist who scavenges material from the streets and transforms into mural size art. Mr. Bradford's art comes from underrated communities in the great state of California (where he is from) and lets the world know what belies a community in need of financial and economic resources. Mr. Bradford has received numerous grants and participated in a number of respected art shows around the world. Recently, in New York City, Mr. Bradford and Kara Walker put up a small scale show for the Sikkema Jenkins Gallery in Chelsea. The work presented by these two talented African American artists showcased the updated versions of what they are working on in their respective studios. The presentation was incredible. Mr. Bradford continues to explore themes in a collage format, which is informative as well as imaginative.

James Baldwin-Quotes

James Baldwin was one of my heroes growing up. I truly enjoyed each book or essay written by this prolific author. But, I was thinking thoughout his life, he has given us an inmeasurable amount of quotes from the life he led and the time or era during which he wrote. Here's a list of my favorites:

"Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war: love is growing up."

"Love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters?"

"The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose."

"People can cry much easier than they can change."

"Education is indoctrination if you're white - subjugation if you're black."

"Everybody's journey is individual. If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in love with a boy. The fact that many Americans consider it a disease says more about them than it does about homosexuality."

"I want to be an honest man and a good writer."

"I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpertually."

"I am what time, circumstance, history, have made of me, certainly, but I am also, much more than that. So are we all."

"To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time."

"The only thing that white people have that black people need, or should want, is power and no one holds power forever."

"People who treat people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters come floating back to them, poisoned."

Those are a few of my favorites, in his loving memory-Mr Baldwin has changed my life for the better and continues to inspire my very thoughts and actions

Chris Ofili-Artist

Chris Ofili's art is full of African vibrancy and throught provoking stances on the beauty of the Continent of Africa.  Born in Nigeria and living in London; he's also,the winner of the prestigious Turner Prize.Mr. Ofili's work once ignited a media frenzy at the Brooklyn Museum because the image of the Madonna has dried elephant dung attached to the canvas. His recent show at the David Zwirner Gallery in Chelsea is titled, "Afro Margin" runs until October 24, 2009. This show has eight pencil drawings of various states of objects influenced by the artist. Run don't walk to see this great show in a beautiful space.