• Black Photographers  
• ABSTRACT ARTISTS
• Black Women Artists online: https://calabargallery.com/black-women-artists/ 
• Affordable Art section: UNDER $1000. 

• For Portraiture buyers, here's some new work by Winfred Nana Amoah: https://www.artsy.net/viewing-room/calabar-gallery-winfred-nana-amoahs-ghanaian-mixed-media-portraits
• If you have not begun to collect photography, it's really time to start. Here are some we recommend:
• A collection of Black Photographers: https://www.artsy.net/viewing-room/calabar-gallery-black-photographers-portraits-hair-and-bodies
• And Trinidadian artist Kriston Banfield just finished a residency with LMCC at Governor's Island last month and we are featuring his work. He has begun to get some attention and I recommend you see his work and acquire a piece today: https://www.artsy.net/viewing-room/calabar-gallery-kriston-banfield-journey-healing-and-transformation
• Alexandre Kyungu's work from Dakar Biennale is available now: https://www.artsy.net/viewing-room/calabar-gallery-the-scars-of-the-earth-alexandre-kyungus-new-work?utm_content=viewing-room-gallery-share
• And finally, here's work from our next show: https://www.artsy.net/show/calabar-gallery-weusi-artist-collective-black-joy-and-resilience?sort=partner_show_position

Atim 
Atim Annette Oton 

Curator/Director 
Info@calabargallery.com

I was originally inspired to create for the purpose of minority representation. I often create work within the realm of black fantasy and mythology, or that which encourages confidence in young black girls and women by celebrating their hair through unique depictions of the twists and turns of our curls. Over the last several years I have been heavily inspired by spirituality, and that has influenced me to share knowledge about African stories of origin, specifically the Yoruba Orishas of modern-day Nigeria. I love that art offers me a platform to share knowledge, and a chance to spark the curiosity to research and connect to non-mainstream faith and spirituality. Recently, I’ve found myself to be inspired when trying new materials to use in my mixed-media practice. I enjoy hunting for new things to introduce into my work, especially items that you don’t typically see used in fine art, and to then see how they interact with the materials that I am already familiar working with. 

I began making art as a young child. I had an Aunt who was an elementary school art teacher, and she often had me try out her lessons before she introduced them to her students. I continue to make art today for self care and as a therapeutic outlet. I have often found myself in circumstances in my life in which I’ve felt like I haven’t had a voice, and art also gives me a platform to be heard and to control my narrative. 

Right now, the piece that I am most proud of is my “American Boy” portrait. I believe that young boys, particularly those of color, are overlooked when it comes to the emotional effects of trauma in their youth. We often regard emotion as only applying to the experiences of women and girls, and creating that piece was my way of introducing another perspective. 

I am a very observant and empathetic person, and much of my work is a reflection of my personal experiences and observations of society over my lifetime. Each piece that I create has a different intended message, and often includes hidden meanings and explores more than one topic including racism and black and brown experiences in the Americas, the wealth gap in America, gun violence, mental health, immigration, and issues effecting children. All of these societal issues stem from political systems, and I believe that is how my work comments on both political and social issues. 

My work is sometimes literal and intended to spark a dialogue about a social issue, such as my recent mixed-media creations about mass school shootings in the United States. At other times I create to share knowledge, such as with my Orisha pieces that are meant to introduce a new perspective on the African-American origin story. Often times my work connects the two concepts, and requires a conversation to fully understand the multi-layered symbolism. Everything, from the subject matter, choice of materials, chosen color schemes, and literal symbols used within the pieces, are thoughtful components of an intended message. 

I cultivate a collector base by looking for opportunities outside of the traditional exhibition spaces that many Artists stay within. I have produced my own exhibits, presented my work in a variety of non-art events in a wide range of communities, and do not hesitate to try something outside of the box to see if I can gain traction in selling my work. Sometimes what you think of as a logical environment to find new Collectors is less successful than something that feels uncomfortable or counterintuitive to try. 

Early into my practice I taught myself to make prints of my art, and they have been a great tool for introducing my work to new people. I have used online platforms like eBay, social media, and in-person events to sell prints, and many times those Collectors return to buy an original piece from me in the future. I have also self-produced merchandise with my imagery, such as bags and puzzles. In recent years have contracted partnerships with companies to license my images for merchandise sold both online and in brick-and-mortar stores. 

If I could begin my own Collection, I would likely begin with the aforementioned established Artists that have inspired my work. There are also many talented emerging Artists that I have met and exhibited with over the years whose work I would love to own. For example, Yemonja Smalls, who creates beautiful mixed-media pieces with wood and fabrics, is one of my favorite emerging Artists. While participating in group exhibits over the years, I have purchased prints from many different Artists. Most recently I obtained a print of “Blue Cat” from Rene Dickerson during his solo exhibition in Virginia. I have also collected originals from a few fellow emerging Artists, including Justin Green, Ashley Cole, and Akimi the Artist. 

Honestly, there are so many talented Artists throughout the world that I would love to collect, that I would need my own museum to display everything that I would like to own! 

Ashley Joi discovered a love for creating as a child, having been introduced to art at a very early age by an art teacher in her family. She developed an enthusiasm for painting during a Governor’s School residency at the University of Richmond in 1999, and while earning an international baccalaureate certificate in painting. Her work includes design elements that she learned while pursuing her BFA in fine art with an emphasis in graphic design at Hampton University, and during a graphic design internship at Voice of America in Washington, D.C. Joi’s practice has evolved over the years to include the addition of a diverse selection of mixed-media elements. Her work is often heavily influenced by African mythology, fantasy, and social issues impacting communities of color. Her work has been exhibited in, and presented by, galleries in Virginia, Maryland, New York, and at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Brooklyn’s 25 year-old art phenom, Mark West, is the Owner and President of Mark West Center for the Arts (MWCA). The story of West’s uprising in the art industry is one to be acknowledged as he is a NYU Shanghai-trained art historian, producer and world traveler. While in college, West studied East Asia Antiquities, Mandarin, the Humanities and Business. After studying in China, Ghana, and France, West relocated back to the states following graduation for a gap year after being accepted to a graduate program at London School of Economics to study Business and Economics. During that time he reconnected with his passion for history and the arts in NYC and began painting recreationally while working at Willkie Farr & Gallagher as a finance specialist. After receiving praise from his peers on his paintings West received inquiries on his work which gave him the confidence to start selling it on the streets of New York City.

Though West struggled to find mentorship and opportunities to exhibit his work, he took his work out 14th St Union Square in 2018. It was during those 5 months where buyers began to call West a young Jean-Michel Basquiat as he quickly sold enough of his paintings to open up his own brick-and-mortar gallery in LIC. Since then, West expanded his art center and increased his services to the community. As the Owner and President MCWA, West has sold over 240 paintings out of his own gallery to date. West has also exhibited his work at Harlem School of the Arts, The Sony Center, The Magic Johnson Theatre, Atlantic Ave Barclays Center, Orchard & Ludlow, Hall of Fame, The Plaxall Gallery, MWCA, and many other places around NYC. Mark West and his gallery have been published in ABC News, BronxNet TV, NYU, The LDM Show, 8Ball Radio, Bleucalf Magazine, The Bronx Times and others.

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