Life with the Black Panthers (1968)

With their guns, uniforms and talent for political theatre, the Black Panthers topped the FBI’s list of ‘threats to national security’ in the 60s. In 1968, Howard Bingham spent six months trailing and photographing them

Source: Life with the Black Panthers, Howard Bingham via the Guardian

 

   

Kathleen Cleaver and Black Panther co-founder Bobby Seale (right) at a ‘Free Huey’ rally in Oakland, California, in the summer of 1968

Bobby Seale leading Black Panther drills in Oakland, California.

More at source.

Faisal Abdu’Allah

 

Last Supper, 2003

 

London-born artist Faisal Abdu’Allah graduated from the Royal College of Art and was instantly put on the “one to watch” lists within the industry. His art explores topics such as cultural identity, racial privilege, and political disenfranchisement and exclusion. Abdu’Allah’s love of fine art and personal expression has led him down an interesting path.

While studying abroad in Massachusetts, he discovered a new version of Black culture that astounded him. Drawn to the barbershops in Boston and the urban haircutting techniques, Abdu’Allah’s interests were piqued. This practice seemed to draw upon his passion for art and pretty soon he was inspired by his strong curiosities to learn the barber craft. This interest has led him into a career as a barber from which he has gained immense insight into Black culture as well as human experience. Also during his stint in America, he discovered Islam after hearing the charismatic voice of Louis Farrakhan. Upon furthering investigation, he decided to convert.

Faisal Abdu’Allah’s art is fed by his personal exploration of human experience which pulls from the world around him–wherever he may find himself. Most recently, he has been nominated for the FLAMIN Productions Development Award for his short film Manish Waters, which explores “walking as natural ubiquitous act of human expression, the point where physics, thought and identity collide to create the kaleidoscopic swagger”. Additionally, he is collaborating with French artist Christian Boltanski on a project called “14 Years in Between” due out in 2010.

He is Senior Lecturer of Fine Arts at the University of East London.

 

What are the rules that you live by?

Please and thank you; evil exists only as long as good people do nothing; eat as close to nature as possible; be careful what you despise, as you may have to rely on it later in life; the law of attraction; and the preservation of the irreplaceable – my sanity

 

Diss-assembly, 2006

Official Site of Faisal Abdu’Allah

New Statesman Q&A with Faisal Abdu’Allah

Current Exhibition: 30 Sept 2009- 1 Nov 2009, “White (Why Have I Told Everything)” at Whitechapel Gallery London

Jean-Michel Basquiat

“SAMO as an end to playing art”

Jean-Michel Basquiat grew from a brilliant child into a brilliant artist. Encouraged by his family to pursue his interests with the utmost passion, Basquiat set out to use the city of New York as his canvas. At 17, he got involved in graffiti culture famously tagging his work with the slogan “SAMO” short for “same old shit”. Leaving school prematurely, Basquiat took to the streets of New York and soon found his home in the abundant art culture. The eighties brought attention to Basquiat’s work and soon he was at the forefront of the Neo-Expressionist Movement that was gaining alot of attention and acclaim in both America and Europe. 

This new life among the celebrities also brought with it drugs which Basquiat had increasingly begun using. After the loss of his close friend Andy Warhol, the young artist fell into a dark period of time and at age 27 overdosed on a lethal combination of heroin and cocaine. 

In 1998, one of Basquiat’s original pieces sold for $3,302, 500 at a Christie’s auction and in 2002, another piece sold for $5,509,500.

Kara Walker

California native Kara Walker is a contemporary artist confronting timeless issues through her art–sexuality, violence, politics and racism, all rendered in stylized cutouts and silhouettes. Putting in front of her audience a black and white world of nostalgia and antebellum scenery, Walker uses this to draw upon a familiar image of racism and violence that still manifests itself today. By using this seemingly Victorian-influenced approach, she has carved a niche for herself in the world of modern art, even impressing fellow artist Barbara Kruger to praise her as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World, Artists and Entertainers” in 2007. 

Of her work Walker says, 

“It’s interesting that as soon as you start telling the story of racism, you start reliving the story. You keep creating a monster that swallows you. But as long as there’s a Darfur, as long as there are people saying ‘Hey, you don’t belong here’ to others, it only seems realistic to continue investigating the terrain of racism.”

(quote courtesy of Whitney Museum of Art)