This is what i know about Art

       Kimberly Drew, in her book This Is What I Know About Art, shares some of her experiences with us, the readers, from a first-person perspective, such as the decisions she makes and obstacles she faces, as well as the successes and setbacks she encounters while coming up in the art scene, right from her childhood with very little interest in art (although she had some form of appreciation for it) to being intrigued by it and seeing it as more than a hobby but a career choice or way of life; “Art was always in the background,but it wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that working in the arts felt like a possibility for me." (Drew, 10). Drew’s experiences motivate me to consider art from a renewed viewpoint.

     Throughout the book, with well-placed illustrations, she presents several themes, such as the theme of identity and representation, as she reflects on her own identity as a black woman, considering the importance of representation in the art world while discussing the exclusion of black people from museums and the need to create spaces that incorporate inclusivity and diversity. Another theme is community and connection, knowing the importance of supporting one another in the art world given the difficulties she encountered in sourcing information about black art while starting out due to general misrepresentation and lack of proper inclusion. “I searched and searched but did not find anything worthwhile. After a few months of research, I decided that I should start my own blog." (Drew, 14),

https://blackcontemporaryart.tumblr.com/

       Drew builds and expands her online presence, using well-curated, informative and enticing posts on her social media accounts and blog to disseminate knowledge, create awareness and inspire black audiences to visit the museum “On social media, I aimed to connect the burgeoning #BlackTwitter community to Black art. My primary strategy was to use it to entice Black audiences to come to the museum." (Drew, 24). The main theme Drew portrays in her book is the theme of art and activism, as she explores the intersection of art andactivism, reflecting on the the capabilities and importance of art as an agent of protest and activism, Drew and a handful of other people in her community found solace in art as it gave them a voice and feelings of collectiveness as they expressed fear, discomfort and anger at the unprecedented brutality of the police force on black individuals “My faith in the importance of art had never been more concrete. It was images, sculptures, and writing that helped me wade through the anger I was feeling. There was a moment of respite whenever I encountered a work that mirrored feelings that felt too complicated to define on my own." (Drew, 28).

        Upon finishing the book, I had an entirely different take on the importance of inclusion in the arts and other fields, but to conclude things,This Is What I Think About Art has enabled me to view the unpopular side of art from a refreshed standpoint, making me feel a need to find less represented artists and look into their works.

    The exhibition Artistas de Latinoamérica Sueños y Posibilidades (Latin American Artists: Dreams and Possibilities) provides emerging Latin American artists with a platform to showcase their works and serves as a form of activism as it publicizes their work. This gives a form of well needed visibility to Latin American artists whose voices have long been suppressed, which is linked to Drew’s goal of representing the misrepresented. Some of the works in the exhibition, such as Tenjin Ikeda’s “Bold Yet Fragile”, are used to comment on social and political issues such as immigration, identity, racism, and inequality, and yes,  I would describe the curators of the exhibition as activists as they incorporated educational elements into the exhibition, enabling us to learn and engage with these issues addressed by the artists

Ray Acardio - “Queen of Propox”, 2023, Acrylic on canvas

Ray Acardio - “Lisa, Lisa,” 2023, Acrylic, air brush on canvas

“Ray Arcadio is a New Jersey artist born in the Dominican Republic. Arcadio is known for his InShape Universe and PopRox styles. His work addresses the importance of iconography and symbols on our psyche. The work encompasses paintings, drawings, and sculptures that he combines with pop imagery and street art elements. Whether in the form of superheroes or through his stylization of portraiture he makes reference to his Caribbean roots. His superimposing of "tribal/urban" abstractions over classical elements addresses the shocking effect American culture has had on his Caribbean mind. Arcadio's work is visually complex, playful and thought provoking”.(The Art of Ray Arcadio, n.d.) 

Ray Acardio’s works, especially the ones from his collection named "messengers”, appeal to me personally due to his exceptional use of vibrant colors in his paintings, combined with what can be seen as beautiful representations of women of color, which are often overlooked in mainstream art. I am drawn to the way he portrays women of color in various expressions, abstractions, and roles. His paintings carry a heavy tone and may be interpreted to convey messages, which can be a catalyst for discussions about the need to address systemic biases that have kept women of color in the shadows for far too long.

Citations

Drew, K. (2020, June 2). This Is What I Know About Art. Penguin.

Arcadio, Ray. Queen of Propox. Artistas de Latinoamérica Sueños y Posibilidades (Latin American Artists: Dreams and Possibilities), 13 Sep,-15 Nov, 2023, New Jersey City University, Jersey City.

Arcadio, Ray. Lisa, Lisa. Artistas de Latinoamérica Sueños y Posibilidades (Latin American Artists: Dreams and Possibilities), 13 Sep,-15 Nov, 2023, New Jersey City University, Jersey City.

The Art of Ray Arcadio. (n.d.). Rayarcadio. https://www.rayarcadio.com/about