Broadcast: Birmingham Based Awesomeness

My Friend Stary

My friend Stary is going to be famous. All you have to do is look at his work and the question becomes, 'Why have I never heard of this artist before?' Stary Mwaba: remember the name, you will not forget his work.

His paintings, within the cultural context of Zambia, his home, take great risks in their concepts and themes and yet his technique is so accessible, in other words he challenges the viewer without alienating them.

One of my favourites is entitled 'I am not Your Stereotype' (above). At first glance it may seem like a beautifully executed picture of a girl sitting, half-lounging (a common stance for Stary's subjects) surrounded by abstract, almost human forms. But let's look a little closer. First of all, see her hair, slightly golden brown in colour – unteased and natural. Then, let's look at the thigh and the back that are exposed, with the light glinting off them, wrapped casually in a chitenge – a Zambian cloth that women wear traditionally for modesty or to protect their clothes from dirt. In Zambian culture it is taboo for a woman to reveal these areas of her body, and yet here they are on display. Move now to the face and note the look of lazy defiance. She is beautiful, she is African and she is not afraid.
Stary's painting 'Baby' (below) was not well received in South Africa. The depiction of a black girl holding a white doll was seen as inappropriate, as if the addition of a white doll was an oversight, a mistake. That girl holding a doll, has a great deal of power in my opinion. The doll has no clothes apart from socks, whereas the girl is fully clothed. This touch subverts the nature of the poor African girl running around in rags – it is the white doll that is naked.

His marriage of technical skill, abstract exploration and genuine affection for his subjects in his paintings make your mouth water. If it is possible to be gently controversial, Stary Mwaba has achieved it.

I believe this is just the beginning for Stary, his work is becoming more experimental as he grows as an artist. In September, not only will he exhibit in Lusaka, but also fly to New York to take part in a residency at the Watermill, Brooklyn. For more on his work you can visit his website: http://starymwaba.webs.com/ or contact me directly.

Little Lovelies

At 16 I would tape pound coins to cardboard and mail them. Soon after would arrive the most exciting thing ever – a DIY zine or comic. At 16 getting stuff in the mail is addictive anyway, it's only when we grow older we associate the mail with junk and bills. But these zines were full of craziness, fascinating and weird stories and pictures. I felt kind of honoured that someone had sat and carefully devised this little book just for me, or for a handful of people like me. The other great thing was that for a teenager they were affordable, a few dollars at most. Sometimes I would get letters thanking me for buying their example of creativity. I devoured them. Then boyfriends, clubs, live music and University came along and I left those zines behind.

And then this spring in Asheville NC I stumbled into and found a little rack of them, unassuming but tempting. I bought a few (was complimented by the bookstore clerk on my selections) out of sentimentality and intrigue and I'm now hooked all over again. The edginess, the imperfections, the doodles and monochrome, people can do whatever they want when they autonomous so you get some really ingenious content. It's good to know that despite the birth and endless upward trajectory of the internet, some people still feel compelled to print their words. This rediscovery of DIY publishing is kind of part of my new intention to get back to my roots, to that time in my past when the creative world was new and fertile.I am now considering doing my own, I am already putting together some ideas as well as trawling sites to inspire me.

Welcome back.

Places to feed the zine greed:

Etsy – there are tons of very cool mags and comics on Etsy for a few dollars each

Microcosm

DIY Publishing Coop

Did you know Akwila Simpasa?

He died but I don't know when or how. He was friends with Eddy Grant and apparently Mick Jagger gave him a coat. He is pretty much regarded as the greatest artist that came out of Zambia. He lived only for art, was a bit of an artful dodger (taking back paintings he has already sold, getting thrown out of hotels for not paying his bill), and then, that's it.

I found a file on him in the gallery, but aside from a brief focus piece, there was little else. There were a number of copies of his work. The first few sketches left me cold, they seemed rushed and a little juvenile. Then came photos of his sculptures and paintings and I was transfixed by their energy and scope. He was a master.

The question "Did you know Akwila Simpasa?" is welcomed and tidbits of the man are proffered, but a full biography I have yet to uncover. So, did YOU know Akwila Simpasa?

I watched this film with my husband at the weekend and miraculously he stayed awake.I take comfort in the fact that the author Henri-Pierre Roche, who wrote the book on which the film is based (phew how's that for clauses?), was over seventy when his novel was published. Hope for me yet?

Yesterday I made the resolution to finish my novel before anything else 500 - 1000 words a day. Have so far failed, but the day ain't over yet. Dumbfoundland is becoming a long gestation period, elephants are born quicker.