Oil Man

Painting from a snapshot of Trinidad carnival 2007

Dead Pan

I wanted to post these images from San Francisco Dia de Los Muertos celebration taken by photographer Tristan Savatier. I do not know of his work, but his images from this particular event are worth looking at. This face paint in these images is what struck me.... the body art is beautifully done and it appears an airbrush was used in the process, as well as stenciling. Ok, so i wish this was an image of my own painting, but give me a minute, i will be back with some original Ms. Beck body art..
Check Tristan's flickr page to see more great pictures of those west coast "dead" creative hippies!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/loupiote/sets/72157594359648732/

Black and White.

Once again, the connection between two subjects.....where they merged in the past, and how one will always live in the other.

Dress UP

Unfortunately, i do not know who the owner of these images is. I found them online during one of my cyber travels years ago. I rediscovered them and wanted to post them because i love them so much. The subject transforms herself in every image using traditional head pieces, make up and found objects. I found about 20 of them...all stemming from different cultures, all modern and unique. Please comment if you know the artist who made these self portraits. Meanwhile i will keep searching for her. If anyone knows please let me know!

02.01.09 Kimiko Yoshida. I found her again finally! Please look at her website. I think her work is so inspiring.
http://www.kimiko.fr/

Nick Cave

Nick Cave (Chicago) began his career as a performer and fashion designer, creating fantastic, almost ritualistic costumes for dance and performances. More recently, he has been presenting these costumes as sculptural objects. These works, which he calls Soundsuits, are textured, sensual, elaborately designed assemblages of sometimes unexpected materials that act almost like musical instruments, emitting sound as they move. he describes these pieces as “full body suits constructed of materials that rattle with movement . . . like a coat of armor, [they] embellish the body while protecting the wearer from outside culture.”
Thank You Nick Cave for making Soundsuits..... How i wish to see their intricate detail and craftsmanship in person (or better yet wear one!). They seem like they transform those who put them on. Incredible. I love it.
Check out an interview....

Que Viva Mexico

I missed Carnival this year, but i was there in spirit.... both in the process and the festivities. TriniRevellers theme this year "Que Viva Mexico" inspired Aztec Mas with the boys. I tried to come up with some ideas......and some very "primitive" drawings.......
But in the end, Artist/Mas Man Dawad Phillip came up with a vibrant design which was finally brought to life on the road! In addition, Mervyn Seebaran made an incredible Aztec costume fit for the Gods. His attention to detail astounds me. Someone needs to make a documentary about this man who can build elaborate costumes with his eyes closed.
Anyway, I love how something starts as a word or a thought and transforms from a drawing, a costume and finally, a performance.
More images of Trinidad Carnival 2008 can be found on www.triniscene.com and you can always find plenty of Bareskin, Bikinis and Beads!

Phyllis Galembo

Photographer Phyllis Galembo was invited to Nigeria in 1985 to document the research of her friend and colleague, Norma Rosen, on the design and use of traditional Edo altars, ritual objects, and ceremonial dress. From this and subsequent journeys comes this collection of spectacular photographs and essays on Nigerian and Brazilian shrines and ritual figures. Her portraits are poetic and direct, her subjects haunting.....
She has produced photography exhibitions and books on African subjects, including Divine Inspiration from Benin to Bahia (1993), Aso-ebi, Cloth of the Family (1997), and Kings, Chiefs, and Women of Power, Nigeria (1998). Her most recent project, Dressed for Thrills: Halloween and Masquerade Costumes (2003)
Discovering her work has inspired me and further encouraged my interest in human ritual.