google-site-verification=cXrcMGa94PjI5BEhkIFIyc9eZiIwZzNJc4mTXSXtGRM An art collector talks about African art and gives shopping tips - 360WISE MEDIA
Connect with us

Lifestyle

An art collector talks about African art and gives shopping tips

Published

on


In the center of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York sits a $10 million collection of African art owned by Eric Edwards, a former AT&T executive.

“My love of African history began as a child, but I didn’t start buying art until the 1970s,” says Edwards. “I had no intention of becoming an art collector. I initially brought African art with me because it gave me peace and quiet when I left my everyday life working in New York.”

But after spending greater than 40 years collecting artifacts representing 54 African countries and 4,000 years of history, Edwards realized his private collection needed a house. Edwards decided to create a house for the opening of his collection – the African Art Cultural Museum.

“The principle of the museum relies on the West African principle of Sankofa: you do not know where you are going, when you do not know where you’ve got beensays Edwards. The museum will showcase his private collection of over 2,000 works of African art, a world-class library, youth teaching programs, and a research and media center.

We caught up with Edwards to learn more about his plans for opening the museum and his tips for investing in African art.

BLACK ENTERPRISE: Where does your love for Africa come from? Who inspired you probably the most?

Edwards: When I used to be a toddler, my passion for Africa was inspired by my parents, especially my father, who was an immigrant from Barbados. At that point, on account of racism against people of African descent within the United States, he was very concerned about what we children would encounter once we entered the New York public school system. He was sure that we’d not give you the chance to experience African culture and history as he had in Barbados. So he took it upon himself to show his children all about African history and its many gifts to the world.

Tell us about the experience that inspired you to purchase your first piece of art.

I even have a passion audiophilia— high-quality sound and equipment. Many years ago, I used to be a member of two of the leading audio file associations in New York. We held meetings within the homes of varied members throughout the tri-state area. These people were doctors, engineers, scientists, psychiatrists, etc., who had a passion for music. As I visited their impressive homes, I started to note a number of African art. These people weren’t of African descent. I asked them how they acquired their works of art, and they told me about art galleries and auction houses equivalent to Sotheby’s and Christie’s. I immediately became completely immersed within the artifacts and what they represented. This passion never ended.

One day during my lunch break at AT&T, I took a walk across the SoHo neighborhood and got here across an African art gallery. I fell in love with a maternity figure from Côte d’Ivoire – a lady holding her baby (while sitting) on ​​a birthing chair. I purchased it for $300. I just put it on the desk in my office. But looking back, I had no concept that it could ignite the flame in me that might allow me to begin a set.

What do you listen to when buying works of art? Do you like a particular time period?

For over 40 years, the one thing I actually have searched for is the story behind every bit.
At the identical time, I began collecting art. I began buying books about African history. I’ve built a library as massive as my collection. I desired to know every thing I could about every bit.

The art shouldn’t be only beautiful, but additionally three-dimensional. Each piece was created for a novel purpose, equivalent to on a regular basis objects: protective or warlike, religious, funerary, or even perhaps to honor a specific origin or royal system.

Africa is a continent of secrets. Many of the pieces in my collection are secret society pieces. Societies that taught young girls the way to change into women or trained young boys to fight, the way to be men and responsibility to their ancestors.

Can you share your best advice for investing in or purchasing African art?

I strongly consider that everybody should own a bit of African art.

There is an abundance of African art, so people should find and buy art that was created in Africa. There is nothing improper with “tourist art”, however it is value knowing that it originated in Africa, even when it was made in a factory. It also needs to represent a particular cultural group or tradition.

If you might be a beginner art collector, it’s best to go on to the source. I like to recommend doing a number of research to search out artisans. I actually have purchased art from everywhere in the world and my pieces date back 4,000 years. These pieces were utilized in rituals; they got here from royal houses and were utilized in on a regular basis life. I bring works of art from prestigious auction houses, galleries and private collections all over the world. Over the years I actually have also developed relationships with royal families in Africa and purchased works directly from them. For example, after I bought one piece of art from the royal family, officials from Africa had to come back to my house and perform a ceremony for me to take possession of the artifact.

You also needs to document your purchases. Due to my technological background, I created a database containing information to document each item in my collection.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lifestyle

Universal Music Group and TikTok agree to new music deal

Published

on

By

Universal Music Group, TikTok, Music Licensing Deal


Earlier this 12 months, Universal Music Group (UMG) removed music from its artist roster from the favored TikTok platform due to a disagreement over the usage of artificial intelligence (AI) and compensation. Recently announced that the 2 entities have reached an agreement that enables music from Drake, SZA, Taylor Swift and many others to be reused on TikTok.

The deal is a new “multi-dimensional licensing agreement” that offers the platform access to “a global family of artists, songwriters and labels and will enable the return of their music” to TikTok.

In a written statement, Universal Music Group chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge said: “This new chapter in our relationship with TikTok focuses on the value of music, the primacy of human artistry and the well-being of the creative community. We look forward to working with the TikTok team to support the interests of our artists and songwriters and innovate fan engagement while increasing the monetization of social music.”

The two firms clashed over compensation when UMG said TikTok’s proposal included a “fraction” of typical payouts, chiding the platform for wanting to unfairly cash in on music.

“Music is an integral part of the TikTok ecosystem and we are pleased to have found a path forward with Universal Music Group,” said Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok. “We are committed to working together to increase the value, discovery and promotion of all the incredible artists and songwriters at UMG and deepen their ability to grow, connect and engage with the TikTok community.”

announced that there was an agreement designed providing higher remuneration to songwriters and artists operating under the UMG patronage. This includes new opportunities for promotion and engagement of recorded songs and industry-leading generative artificial intelligence safeguards.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
Continue Reading

Lifestyle

Kendrick Lamar’s Drake Diss caused the Keith Lee effect and turned the restaurant where the Toronto rapper was allegedly robbed into a viral tourist attraction

Published

on

By

The feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake is getting heated, but New Ho King, a small Chinese restaurant in Toronto, got here out on top when it caught the homeless man on Kendrick’s diss track “Euphoria.”

On April 30 at 8:24 a.m. PT, Kendrick Lamar dropped “Euphoria,” geared toward Drake and crammed with over six minutes of statements from multiple writers criticizing all the pieces from the Canadian rapper’s parenting and cosmetic surgery allegations to his questionable relationships with younger ladies and his right to saying the N word

Kendrick Lamar spared nobody during his tirade. Drake’s Toronto accent, in addition to his cat Crodie, were also mocked.

Kendrick Lamar's Drake Diss track has the Keith Lee effect, turning the Toronto restaurant where the rapper was allegedly robbed into a viral tourist attraction (Photo by Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue; Cole Burston/Getty Images )
Kendrick Lamar (left) posted a diss track about Drake (right) and immediately had the song checked out for the “Keith Lee effect” at Lamar’s restaurant in Toronto. (Photos: Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue, Cole Burston/Getty Images)

The Compton legend rapped:

Don’t discuss the family, Crodie
This can cut deep into a family, Crodie
Are you talking about me and my family, Crodie?
Someone’s going to bleed in your loved ones, Crodie
I’m at New Ho King, eating fried rice with dipping sauce and rattling it, Crodie

For 50 years, the New Ho King restaurant has been a popular late-night spot in Toronto’s Chinatown. Dropping the fried rice name resulted in Google reviews receiving 5 stars.

“One of the best restaurants in Canada! had to check it out, Kendrick said it was good, did not disappoint friendly staff and great atmosphere, highly recommended, if you are nearby visit!” read certainly one of 1,200 guest reviews. “Feeling euphoric after fried rice,” raved one other.

The next review was far more comical. “I was a terrible father and never raised my son well. Today, as I was passing by this authentic Chinese restaurant, a thought suddenly came to my mind. As I ate fried rice with dipping sauce and a bun, I was inspired to come home, wake him up every morning, tell him to pray, and give him the tools to go through life one day at a time. New Ho King food taught me morality, honesty and discipline. Thank you, crodie!”

Could the “To Pimp a Butterfly” rapper have the “Keith Lee Effect”? Many fans appear to think so, comparing Lamar to a former MMA fighter who can change the fortunes of an obscure mom and pop restaurant with one TikTok video.

One one who seems to think so is Johnny Lu, the owner of New Ho King, whose phone is currently dying.

When the Toronto network City news caught up with the delighted restaurant owner and he said, “I had a lot of people texting me this morning saying this is your restaurant? I said yes.’ They say, “Look at the song.”

“He said good food and fried rice. Get more and more rice. The chef will be busy!” Lu was delighted. “Kendrick is a good guy, oh my God.” In the war between the two rappers, Lamar has won at the least one other person to his side.

“I’m trying to learn how to sing this song now,” Lu added as he scrolled through the rave reviews, mentioning, “Kendrick sent me.”

“I came all the way from Markham just to see this fried rice,” one fan said. “Kendrick Lamar, man. Man, you gotta show respect to K. Dot. Ever since he dropped this diss track, I’ve been like, “I need to visit this place.”

Fans online couldn’t help but laugh at the Compton, Toronto rapper’s influence, finding it hilarious.

“This Canadian Chinese guy just said we love Kenny here. I can’t speak for the other Canadian. I’m terrible,” he said one user X.

– Damn, Crodie. Opp helps small businesses in your hometown, Crodie,” reads one other comment.

While K.Dot’s six-minute diss track “Euphoria” has a lot to unravel, the New Ho King reference may have a deeper meaning than a playful jab at Drake’s accent. Some speculate that the line is a subtle reference to Drake’s 2009 armed robbery after he and a woman left an unnamed Toronto restaurant.

As an eagle-eyed fan he pointed to X: :

“I don’t think many people caught that beat on Kendrick’s record. “Drake was allegedly robbed by rapper Sizzlac in 2010,” notes user X. “Sizzlac escaped (immersed) with the gun (guilty) he used to rob Drake.”

User X also posted a screenshot from Sizzlac’s “Realest in the 6” music video, in which he raps in front of the New Ho King restaurant.

“Kendrick turned the restaurant where Drake was robbed into one of Toronto’s top attractions” – User X he joked.

Drake talked about the 2010 robbery with GQcalling it “setting”. The robbers allegedly “shot the automobile window with a gun and opened the door,” demanding a total of $4,000 in money and a latest chain given to him by Lil Wayne.

“I knew it was a set up because I was wearing a sweater and a jacket. But as they were banging the gun on the car window and opening the door, the first thing he said was, ‘Hey, run that chain,'” Drake said during the interview. “They didn’t rob (my date) and her purse was sitting there. So I thought, “OK, yeah, you set it all up.”

Drake, who reportedly cooperated with law enforcement during the investigation, has been accused by rap fans of “snitching” on Sizzlac, a claim that has long been debated given his lack of street ties.

In an unrelated incident, Sizzlac was found shot to death in the Malton neighborhood of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada in April 2016. He was 29 years old.

The rift between Drake and Kendrick has been a slow-burner since 2013, when Lamar boasted during an appearance at the BET Awards that his skills “put the sensitive rapper back in his pajamas.”

The final shots were fired when Lamar turned down J. Cole and Drake’s request to affix the “Big Three” on “First Person Shooter” and as a substitute called himself the lone king on “Like That” alongside Future and Metro Boomin.

Later that month, Drake released the first of two diss tracks, “Push Ups”, wherein he mocked Lamar’s height and his collaborations with Maroon 5 and Taylor Swift. This was followed by “Taylor Made Freestyle”, wherein he used artificial intelligence enhancements to introduce Tupac and Snoop Dogg and called Lamar a coward for not responding in a timely manner.

They say there’s more beef to return. Hip-hop fans are excited.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
Continue Reading

Lifestyle

In my mother’s case, these gifts will make her look good for Mother’s Day

Published

on

By

What does mom style mean?, What to wear as a mom?, How to be a fashionable mom?, What should a 40-year-old woman wear?, Fashion gifts for Mother's Day, Cécred, Hanifa, Francoise and Company, Good American, By Chari , Agness Badoo, Black fashion brands for moms, Cool brands for moms, How to be fashionable as a mom?  theGrio.com

Who said mom cannot fly? Society sometimes tells women that when they grow to be moms, they’ve to start out dressing a certain way. While becoming a mom can change many facets of a lady’s life, it doesn’t necessarily mean changing her sense of fashion; whether or not they’re breastfeeding a newborn, chasing toddlers, or taking a young person to extracurricular activities, mothers should feel as comfortable as Superwoman in her super suit. With an emphasis on comfort and practicality, these trendy gift ideas are perfect for mothers who like to feel comfortable, confident and cute – all while keeping all of it together.

Hanifa Comfort Collection

(Photo: Hanifa)

Black-owned luxury fashion brand Hanifa encourages shoppers to step into comfort and elegance with its latest collection. Adding a novel twist to traditional loungewear pieces from a size-inclusive brand Comfort capsule includes hoodies, sweaters, maxi dresses and more that could be dressed up or down.

Good American denim

What does mom style mean?, What to wear as a mom?, How to be a fashionable mom?, What should a 40-year-old woman wear?, Fashion gifts for Mother's Day, Cécred, Hanifa, Francoise and Company, Good American, By Chari , Agness Badoo, Black fashion brands for mom, Cool brands for moms, How to stay fashionable as a mom?, Gifts for mom, Gift ideas for Mother's Day, Gift ideas for Mother's Day 2024 theGrio.com
(Photo: Good American)

Every woman needs a good pair of jeans (or preferably several), but some women forgo jeans out of fear that they will be uncomfortable or inconvenient. However, with its versatile denim styles, Good American offers each style and luxury. Whether they’re looking for belly-hugging jeans or jeans which are as soft as their favorite leggings, a pair of fashionable Good American jeans are the proper gift for mothers who need to boost their on a regular basis, casual look. If you do not know her size or don’t desire to look insensitive to any weight fluctuations, give her a present card to retailers like Nordstrom or Bloomingdale’s so she will find her perfect pair in person.

Francoise and Company fitted hats

What does mom style mean?, What to wear as a mom?, How to be a fashionable mom?, What should a 40-year-old woman wear?, Fashion gifts for Mother's Day, Cécred, Hanifa, Francoise and Company, Good American, By Chari , Agness Badoo, Black fashion brands for moms, Cool brands for moms, How to be fashionable as a mom?  theGrio.com
(Photo: Francoise and Company)

Francoise and companyThe decorative trim will not be your typical baseball cap. From diamonds and pearls to roses – Dominique Armstrong, the brand’s designer, adds a female character to the accessory. Whether she’s having a lazy hair day, a foul hair day, or is trying to accessorize an off-the-cuff, elegant outfit, these hats can elevate even the best of outfits.

Featured Stories

By Chari

What does mom style mean?, What to wear as a mom?, How to be a fashionable mom?, What should a 40-year-old woman wear?, Fashion gifts for Mother's Day, Cécred, Hanifa, Francoise and Company, Good American, By Chari , Agness Badoo, Black fashion brands for mom, Cool brands for moms, How to stay fashionable as a mom?, Gifts for mom, Gift ideas for Mother's Day, Gift ideas for Mother's Day 2024 theGrio.com
(Photo: Chari)

As designer Michael Kors once said, “Accessories are the exclamation point of a woman’s outfit.” If you would like to add a special touch to her on a regular basis look, consider giving your mother unique jewelry from By Chari. With pieces that could be seen not only on Michelle Obama, By Chari is a Black-owned jewelry company that encourages women to make use of jewelry as “an extension and expression of their style and personality, and a way to celebrate both defining moments and simple beauty every day.” With items priced starting at $40, the brand offers a mixture of low- and high-end jewelry.

Browse By Chari gifts for mothers on the web site bychari.com

Cécred

What does mom style mean?, What to wear as a mom?, How to be a fashionable mom?, What should a 40-year-old woman wear?, Fashion gifts for Mother's Day, Cécred, Hanifa, Francoise and Company, Good American, By Chari , Agness Badoo, Black fashion brands for mom, Cool brands for moms, How to stay fashionable as a mom?, Gifts for mom, Gift ideas for Mother's Day, Gift ideas for Mother's Day 2024 theGrio.com
(Photo: Cécred)

From two celebrity mothers to a superstar mom, Beyoncé and Tina Knowles’ recent haircare collection, Cécred, will make an ideal gift. Regardless of whether she is a member of the Beyhive or is eager about an already established line, Cécreda sets it’s an ideal and cheap strategy to test the star’s products. From strengthening treatments to deep conditioners and scalp peels, Cécred is claimed to satisfy the needs of all hair types.

Diarblu

(Photos: Diarrablu)

Whether you are starting a brand new life or just imagine that elegance needs to be easy, you will find that the Satu one-shoulder dress by Diarrablu gets the job done. Available in a wide range of patterns and colours, this streamlined silhouette transitions seamlessly from beach days to summer evenings with just just a few accessory changes, making this gown almost as great for multitasking as she is.

Agnieszka Baddoo

What does mom style mean?, What to wear as a mom?, How to be a fashionable mom?, What should a 40-year-old woman wear?, Fashion gifts for Mother's Day, Cécred, Hanifa, Francoise and Company, Good American, By Chari , Agnes Baddoo, Black fashion brands for mom, Cool brands for moms, How to stay fashionable as a mom?, Gifts for mom, Gift ideas for Mother's Day, Gift ideas for Mother's Day 2024 theGrio.com
(Photo: Agnes Baddoo)

When it involves accessories, sometimes less is more – and when doubtful, quality at all times beats quantity. Give her a timeless investment from Agnes Baddoo, a luxury lifestyle brand specializing in leather goods. Best known for its handmade handbags and purses – also available in a vegan version – the eponymous Agnes Baddoo brand is committed to creating designs characterised by style and utility. Although these products are dearer, the exceptional craftsmanship and flexibility make them definitely worth the investment.



This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending