MIA Magazine December 2015 Art of Black Miami

16BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO MIAMI HERALD WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 Powerful Statements Through Art By HCIII Homeland Sweet Homeland Artist: Nari Ward Medium: Cloth, plastic, megaphones, razor wire, feathers, chains and silver spoons The New American Pastime Artist: Wesley Clark Medium: Oil paint, resin, spray paint, acrylic, and plywood Art of Black Miami Exhibit: Prizm Art of Black Miami Exhibit: Perez Art Museum Miami No More Blues Arrtist: Cendino Temé Medium: Photography Art of Black Miami Exhibit: Ward Rooming House Gallery - The Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida, INC. Nari Ward’s dramatic sculptural installations are composed of systematically collected material from his urban neighborhood. The art examines issues surrounding race, poverty and consumer culture. “I want to invoke conversation because the narrative plays a strong part in my art. Like my inspiration Gordon Parks who did the same in the Jim Crow south, the art allowed me to move past the ego as to leave something here on earth that makes society better.” www.cendinoteme.com "Conceptually, the foundation of my work is to challenge and draw parallels between historical and contemporary cultural issues, faced by the African Diaspora. I examine the psyche of young black males feeling like a target and being targeted. I question the tradition of heirlooms (and their lack) and the role they play on our values today. Objects that are antiques or antiqued are associated with historical relevance and wealth. By placing these issues in an antiqued object I establish the value in furthering a discussion around such issues. Analyzing historic and present, social and economic, disparities are what shape my conceptual process." Please see page 10 for information on the galleries where their artwork is displayed. Miami’s Filmmaking Prodigy Elijah Wells By Tasha Sharell Howard Hewitt & Richard Elliott While most high school seniors prepare for SAT’s and prom dates, 17-year-old filmmaking prodigy Elijah Wells is taking his latest project to this year’s Art of Black Miami. The south Florida native will document Art of Black Miami by highlighting the presence of African American art and its influence on modern culture. If you’re unfamiliar with Elijah Wells, Elijah became an award winning filmmaker by the young age of 14 with his debut film entitled, “The Gift.” Inspired by the art of filmmaking since 8, Elijah was granted the opportunity to participate as an intern for the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) while still in middle school. As a shining star in the program, it wasn’t long after that Elijah would attend his very own screening. Following the success of his debut film, he released another film also awarded by ABFF called “Welcome to Miami.” His upcoming proj X

MIA Magazine December 2015 Art of Black Miami | Page 16