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I like Thomas Blackshear's work, specifically his figurines. I think I've finally figured out that I am not a photo person, which is why I don't enjoy photographs in frames around my living space. I like 3d objects that trigger memories.
I'm the sort of person who'd want a box of smells, or who'd press a flower and frame it. I finally realize this now.
Of course it will be a while before I can ever afford Thomas Blackshear's work and a suitable case to have in my 'office' where the cat can't get near them and break them with overly enthusiasctic sniffing, rubbing and pouncing.
Mr. Blackshear's Ebony Visions have been incredibly inspiring to me as a visual cue as to where to take my writing now that I've battled and won my previously internalized 'SciFi/Fantasy is for the White Guys'.
I've started added images to my icons, along with images from Frank Morrison.
In researching/surfing/realizing this I started looking for artwork from other areas also for inspiration. And that's when I realized I have no idea what search terms to use to find modern sculpture/figurines from Asia.
Inputing Japanese , Chinese or Taiwanese sculpture got me lovely stuff from ages upon ages ago. But I don't want anthrpologically important bits of statuary.
Input Asian Art and there are all these stores that want to sell you water colours of misty mountains and bamboo, or china dolls. I found something mentioning Batik and Southern China and there were some lovely for sale pieces. And I'm going to further research Batik, because growing up in the Caribbean, I'd always thought it was African. So now I have something to learn.
But I feel uncomfortable using the work of anonymous Southern Chinese women in my icons without being able to give specific credit. And also, I just feel uncomfortable with some of the art and the nagging suspicion that they're creating what they've been told will sell.
I don't have a problem with people making money and if 'Chinese Peasant Paintings' make money, then so be it. But I am curious about art that comes from the artists and their pov and their culture and history that's not about exoticizing to feed the family.
Every time I've found something it's been couched in terms of 'Exotic' and it focuses on Samurai or Hindu Gods or Geisha Dolls or 'Look at what these people did back in the day' with the sub-current of 'before they got right and westernized'.
I had to pause and give myself a nice forty minutes or so of reviewing Japanese Modern Architecture (of which I do know some search terms) in order to calm down.
I know that these modern artists exist. I know someone online who does curating work in Signapore and coordinates with various other countries in the region. I may very well end up asking her a bunch of questions. But I'm still wondering if I'm viewing what I've found from the wrong perspective or if I'm missing some crucial/fundamental search terms to enable me to find things on my own.
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| 2008-02-21 22:47 |
| Have. Discovered. KidRobot.Com |
| Public |
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| the cute, toys! |
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LABBITS!
Willow WANT!
And there's a bunny with Anger Management Issues!
And Catus Pups!
Oh... the cute, the feral! There's a bear with blood on him from attacking his owner - and also a cuter pink version.
Everybody in Willow says Wheee!
Also Munny the do it yourself toy :)
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