The Artists of .66
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.66 is what #WOC make on every dollar earned by men.
.66 is #girlgang and #blackgirlmagic on full throttle. .66 is major side eye & shattering the glass ceiling. .66 is for 1966 -- when black women gained the right to vote. .66 is recognizing #intersectionality. .66 is a collective answer back! This innovative artist residency serves to address modern feminism, intersectionality and the on-going struggle against the gender wage gap.
The group of the carefully selected artists heavily engaged with the topic presented by Her Resilience through the month of July. Each artist has created original work that speaks to modern feminism, the gender wage gap, working as an artist, and building community. Their work will be on display at Qulture Collective for the month of August 2016. |
We will wrap up the Summer residency at Qulture Collective with a FREE mural workshop August 27th presented by Mujer Muralista. This innovative art workshop proudly sponsored by the Akonadi Foundation is FREE to the community and will underscore the importance of women of color (re)claiming their own narrative through public art a very fitting way to close Her Resilience programming at Qulture Collective.
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KaliMa Amilak is an Afro-Caribbean writer, poet, photographer, and aspiring performance artist. A native from Brooklyn, New York, she is now pursuing her passion in the arts through activism. She has also been working on her photojournalistic series entitled, Evoke the Goddess and her upcoming blog, Q.U.E.E.N, which are platforms for self expression and celebration for women sharing their life experiences of evoking the goddesses within as a cultural movement of empowerment.
You can connect with KaliMa on facebook. |
In your opinion, what’s integral to the work of an artist?
I believe that what is integral to the work of an artist is that they are living authentically through their craft and that they are using art as a means to use their voice, to enlighten, inspire, and connect with people. As Nina said, "an artist's duty is to reflect the times."
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
As stated previously, the role that the artist has in society is to relate, inspire others through their craft, and getting the financial worth they deserve. In the world of an artist, there is no gender wage gap because everyone, male or female is striving to be financially stable through their art. Everyone who is an artist has a 9-5 job as well, until their artistry stabilizes them.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
For the most part besides being an artist, I've been a Teacher's Assistant and Afterschool Teacher for children grades K-5th grade. Being a teacher has been beneficial for the fact it has taught me the significance of patience, motivation during discouraging times, and how important it is to be a part of a child's life.
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency?
I think the best part of being a member of the .66 residency is to meet and collaborate with other womyn identified artists and their craft, and to also give myself the room and courage to put myself out there.
I believe that what is integral to the work of an artist is that they are living authentically through their craft and that they are using art as a means to use their voice, to enlighten, inspire, and connect with people. As Nina said, "an artist's duty is to reflect the times."
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
As stated previously, the role that the artist has in society is to relate, inspire others through their craft, and getting the financial worth they deserve. In the world of an artist, there is no gender wage gap because everyone, male or female is striving to be financially stable through their art. Everyone who is an artist has a 9-5 job as well, until their artistry stabilizes them.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
For the most part besides being an artist, I've been a Teacher's Assistant and Afterschool Teacher for children grades K-5th grade. Being a teacher has been beneficial for the fact it has taught me the significance of patience, motivation during discouraging times, and how important it is to be a part of a child's life.
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency?
I think the best part of being a member of the .66 residency is to meet and collaborate with other womyn identified artists and their craft, and to also give myself the room and courage to put myself out there.
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Pavitra Eshwar is a self-taught fine artist from San Francisco, that dabbles in abstract expressionistic & post impressionistic/fauvist styles of art - the common thread connecting her portfolio being a strong original style combining paint & nib & a stylishly vibrant color palette. She uses art as a means to channel diverse influences from people & matters of the heart into a palpable form that evokes powerful dialog & her influences range from thriving sentiments of the world population to soft encounters & observations that are personal to her. A fine storyteller, artist, mother & active philanthropist, her art pieces tend towards being multidimensional like her, in that each in the audience can experience a facet of it on their own terms. Her work seeks to explore curiosities, push boundaries & skew perceptions and in a way reinterpret convention.
You can connect with Pavitra on facebook. |
In your opinion, what’s integral to the work of an artist?
The most integral element to the work of an artist is for the piece to be a safe place to go to, where expression is unlimited, unrestricted for both the artist & the audience. To me every art piece that I create, is a fossilized record of the times, emotional states & physical world I have been in at the time of it's creation. However, the true audience surely sees what it wants to see in a work and that is also part of it's magic. Every piece is multidimensional in the way that it exhibits a unique flavor & persona every time it is viewed, analyzed or owned.
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
"Women in America earn only 2/3rd of what men do. Women artists earn only 1/3rd of what men artists do." - Guerilla girls conscience of the art world. So why not partake in making a strong comment through our works, so it can tell the story over and over again and maybe, somebody will listen & act! That is the role of an artist--To use this beautiful medium & numerous platforms to communicate ideas and sentiments buried in the hearts of the human-hive and bring it out in the open in palpable form, inducing powerful thought & dialog.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
I was a business analyst of 8 years, with a Engineering & Masters degree in Information Systems and was working in technology consulting, have worked in many countries for companies like Accenture, Salesforce etc. However, I have been painting since I was a child....self-taught & explored my way into various mediums and styles of painting. Art was my safe-house where I'd spent hours ruminating, reflecting & exploring. And In 2012 May, I couldn't ignore the real calling....I quit my well-paying full time job as a software engineer to become a creative entrepreneur and pursue my passion for fine-arts full time. I now, love my day job of art commissions, gallery shows & telling unique stories to the world :) I also have a beautiful family, am mother to a 7 month old baby girl, enjoy being a musician and an active philanthropist.
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency?
The best part about being an artist at the .66 residency is the opportunity to meet a diverse set of women that are so immensely talented and also who are putting up their own versions of battles against odds to emerge successful. Although our challenges may be different, we are made from same mould, I believe - strong, determined & expressive. It is also a great team to be a part of, a unique platform where I can tell stories to the world through my art, and is a tremendous learning experience for the professional artist in me!
The most integral element to the work of an artist is for the piece to be a safe place to go to, where expression is unlimited, unrestricted for both the artist & the audience. To me every art piece that I create, is a fossilized record of the times, emotional states & physical world I have been in at the time of it's creation. However, the true audience surely sees what it wants to see in a work and that is also part of it's magic. Every piece is multidimensional in the way that it exhibits a unique flavor & persona every time it is viewed, analyzed or owned.
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
"Women in America earn only 2/3rd of what men do. Women artists earn only 1/3rd of what men artists do." - Guerilla girls conscience of the art world. So why not partake in making a strong comment through our works, so it can tell the story over and over again and maybe, somebody will listen & act! That is the role of an artist--To use this beautiful medium & numerous platforms to communicate ideas and sentiments buried in the hearts of the human-hive and bring it out in the open in palpable form, inducing powerful thought & dialog.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
I was a business analyst of 8 years, with a Engineering & Masters degree in Information Systems and was working in technology consulting, have worked in many countries for companies like Accenture, Salesforce etc. However, I have been painting since I was a child....self-taught & explored my way into various mediums and styles of painting. Art was my safe-house where I'd spent hours ruminating, reflecting & exploring. And In 2012 May, I couldn't ignore the real calling....I quit my well-paying full time job as a software engineer to become a creative entrepreneur and pursue my passion for fine-arts full time. I now, love my day job of art commissions, gallery shows & telling unique stories to the world :) I also have a beautiful family, am mother to a 7 month old baby girl, enjoy being a musician and an active philanthropist.
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency?
The best part about being an artist at the .66 residency is the opportunity to meet a diverse set of women that are so immensely talented and also who are putting up their own versions of battles against odds to emerge successful. Although our challenges may be different, we are made from same mould, I believe - strong, determined & expressive. It is also a great team to be a part of, a unique platform where I can tell stories to the world through my art, and is a tremendous learning experience for the professional artist in me!
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Mujer Muralista is a muralist and educator from Oakland, facilitating mural workshops since 2005. She is the founder of the Do you see me movement, a global project that reclaims the narrative of women of color through mural activism. As a self taught artist, Mujer Muralista is heavily influenced by her Native American & Mestiza diaspora and utilizes her art as resilience to empower herself and others. Mujer Muralista lives in Oakland with her husband.
Check out Mujer Muralista's website at: doyouseememovement.org |
In your opinion, what’s integral to the work of an artist?
Knowing themselves and continuous growth.
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
We have a responsibility as artists to express the flow of the universe through ourselves in a good way. With this gift of creative flow we can direct it to empower others and inspire a better way of life for the next generations. A powerful artist creates not only their vision but their intentions for the world.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
I am an Art teacher in Oakland and San Francisco for over 10 years.
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency?
collaborating with talented, like minded, woman of color artists has been the biggest and most rewarding highlight this summer.
Knowing themselves and continuous growth.
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
We have a responsibility as artists to express the flow of the universe through ourselves in a good way. With this gift of creative flow we can direct it to empower others and inspire a better way of life for the next generations. A powerful artist creates not only their vision but their intentions for the world.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
I am an Art teacher in Oakland and San Francisco for over 10 years.
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency?
collaborating with talented, like minded, woman of color artists has been the biggest and most rewarding highlight this summer.
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Suchitra Sharma is an interdisciplinary artist living and working in Bay Area. Subjects of her work includes Sexual Violence, Gender Identity, modern feminism, social constructs and wage gap. To support her ideas she often takes multidisciplinary approach from drawing, printmaking , painting, video. Through the forum of .66 residency she has created a body of work where she relates the current gender wage gap as a much deeper issue of social oppression not just of women but anyone who is defying the social constructs around gender, beauty, marriage, family and disability. With the end of the residency Suchitra continues to show concern towards and depict the facade of deep-rooted social law wrapping manifested in her work.
Check out Suchitra's website at: suchitrasharma.net |
In your opinion, what’s integral to the work of an artist?
The integral work of an artist to is to act as a catalyst, to question the status quo and create a space for dialogue.
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
Gender wage gap is one of the least accepted women issues in the society. An artist needs to bring to light the issue that changes the perception of society on Wage Gap from being a dreamsland quest of feminism or just a mere hoax. An artist needs to question why women are choosing certain jobs & what is the pay equivalent of choosing to raise their families. That raising family is a not a woman’s issue but a collective family issue. Additionally the fight of gender wage gap is not just limited to women. An artist need to bring to light that gender is a social construct and fluidity of it has changed how we did view male and female counterparts and their roles. The gap is talking to bring all genders equal.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
I have been in the staffing industry as sales & has lead the West Region for my company as VP- Sales.
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency?
It has been a 12 to 14 hours working every day through the residency. .66 has pushed my limits to express my ideas deeper. I would have loved more meetings & wish the residency was a little longer than a month. It has been a unique and amazing experience. The residency is ending but it has started the next journey for me.
The integral work of an artist to is to act as a catalyst, to question the status quo and create a space for dialogue.
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
Gender wage gap is one of the least accepted women issues in the society. An artist needs to bring to light the issue that changes the perception of society on Wage Gap from being a dreamsland quest of feminism or just a mere hoax. An artist needs to question why women are choosing certain jobs & what is the pay equivalent of choosing to raise their families. That raising family is a not a woman’s issue but a collective family issue. Additionally the fight of gender wage gap is not just limited to women. An artist need to bring to light that gender is a social construct and fluidity of it has changed how we did view male and female counterparts and their roles. The gap is talking to bring all genders equal.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
I have been in the staffing industry as sales & has lead the West Region for my company as VP- Sales.
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency?
It has been a 12 to 14 hours working every day through the residency. .66 has pushed my limits to express my ideas deeper. I would have loved more meetings & wish the residency was a little longer than a month. It has been a unique and amazing experience. The residency is ending but it has started the next journey for me.
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Jahneah Taylor Personified as a Queer Melanated woman, Jahneah is a social artist rooted in the Bay Area. With 15 years of artistic experience, she’s had work shown in Oakland’s Museum of California Art, Emeryville’s City Hall, and awarded by City Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Coming from a dysfunctional family that later sent her through trials and court dates for her freedom, Jahneah overcomes the stigma of what’s expected of her as a product of society. Now working with the Oakland Mind artist Collective, she aims to use her platform to raise collective consciousness of the many forms of power we all have as living members in society. “Can’t nobody tell me shit. We are NOT powerless.”
You can follow Jahneah on social media at @OoopsSheKnows |
In your opinion, what’s integral to the work of an artist?
Satisfaction is most necessary. I can’t show anything or complete any piece if I’m not satisfied with my final product.
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
I suppose our role is to create in a way that encourages women to be bold and make their own wage. Whether it’s starting a business or declaring a raise with a set number in mind. Get paid what you deserve as a core member. I’ve been a working woman making the least in a male dominated company. Finding out I made nearly $10/hr less than most of my co-workers while doing 3X more work, pissed me off to the point that I had to press the head of the company several times to give me a raise before I got two. And I was still making less than them. Shit was crazy. All they were doing was answering phones and forwarding the actual work to me. SMH. At this point, fuck asking for a equality, we gotta stay doing our own shit. Asking for raise from someone who feeds on power is like asking PG&E how to get into your own meter to use your electricity at will. They don’t wanna do it. We have to generate our own power.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
I’ve worked as:
Energy Conservation Specialist
Chuck E Cheese Birthday Party Host
Head of E-commerce and shipping department for a robotic vacuum company
General Manager for a family of stores in proximity
Dog Handler
Book keeper for a Black Owned business
Entrepreneurship Mentor for youth
Productions and sales of Monica’s Brittle Chips
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency?
I’m doing something the old me never had the confidence to do. Sharing my form of expression is a pretty bold and sometimes scary experience for me. I don’t express in the most common art form and it often gets looked over for more aesthetically pleasing artists. The best part of this experience for me is breaking through my hindrance of sharing.
Satisfaction is most necessary. I can’t show anything or complete any piece if I’m not satisfied with my final product.
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
I suppose our role is to create in a way that encourages women to be bold and make their own wage. Whether it’s starting a business or declaring a raise with a set number in mind. Get paid what you deserve as a core member. I’ve been a working woman making the least in a male dominated company. Finding out I made nearly $10/hr less than most of my co-workers while doing 3X more work, pissed me off to the point that I had to press the head of the company several times to give me a raise before I got two. And I was still making less than them. Shit was crazy. All they were doing was answering phones and forwarding the actual work to me. SMH. At this point, fuck asking for a equality, we gotta stay doing our own shit. Asking for raise from someone who feeds on power is like asking PG&E how to get into your own meter to use your electricity at will. They don’t wanna do it. We have to generate our own power.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
I’ve worked as:
Energy Conservation Specialist
Chuck E Cheese Birthday Party Host
Head of E-commerce and shipping department for a robotic vacuum company
General Manager for a family of stores in proximity
Dog Handler
Book keeper for a Black Owned business
Entrepreneurship Mentor for youth
Productions and sales of Monica’s Brittle Chips
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency?
I’m doing something the old me never had the confidence to do. Sharing my form of expression is a pretty bold and sometimes scary experience for me. I don’t express in the most common art form and it often gets looked over for more aesthetically pleasing artists. The best part of this experience for me is breaking through my hindrance of sharing.
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Valencia Monroe is from LA who recently moved to San Francisco to attend Academy of Arts University. A dedicated artist she earned the opportunity to work with Timothy Washington and Nery Lemus, professional artists who helped her to enhance her technique and find her niche in artistic style. She creates to capture her audience with a powerful boldness, leaving viewers inspired and informed. Her goal as an artist is to be bioluminescent to guide this world out of darkness. She strives to be the voice of both women and her generation who are afraid to speak out.
You can follow Valencia on social media at @Monroeart.co |
In your opinion, what’s integral to the work of an artist?
When the message from the artist is fully on the canvas, that’s when the work is done. A completed piece also comes from the intuition of the artist. It's something that you feel. I like to believe having the ability to draw, structure work, and have creativity is a bonus.
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
The Gender wage gap as we all know is about the unequal pay between both men and women depending on the career field and job position. Our role as an artist is to be an activist, to shine a light on the issue and help those women gain equality to men. The amazing part about it is, you don’t have to be a woman to do this. And right there, that’s already making a change in itself. Men and Women coming together fighting for women's rights. Equal rights.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
I was a nanny for 2 and a half years. I watch a newborn grow into her toddler years and also cared for newborn twins. I really enjoyed this job because I absolutely love caring for others. I also became a curator in 2015; I started my own Art Company going by the name of “Monroe Art & Co.” which is an art licensing and art gallery business. It recently just had its first Art Gala in 2015. I loved the turnout! I can’t wait to build a home for its services in the heart of Downtown San Francisco!
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency
Being around Women. Not just a group women, but women who inspire to make a change in both their own and other communities. For the time in my art career, the .66 Summer residency has offered a tremendous amount of love. Reminding me that yes, this world is corrupted but love and support are what make us whole.
When the message from the artist is fully on the canvas, that’s when the work is done. A completed piece also comes from the intuition of the artist. It's something that you feel. I like to believe having the ability to draw, structure work, and have creativity is a bonus.
Reflecting on the gender wage gap, what role does an artist have in society?
The Gender wage gap as we all know is about the unequal pay between both men and women depending on the career field and job position. Our role as an artist is to be an activist, to shine a light on the issue and help those women gain equality to men. The amazing part about it is, you don’t have to be a woman to do this. And right there, that’s already making a change in itself. Men and Women coming together fighting for women's rights. Equal rights.
What jobs have you done, other than being an artist?
I was a nanny for 2 and a half years. I watch a newborn grow into her toddler years and also cared for newborn twins. I really enjoyed this job because I absolutely love caring for others. I also became a curator in 2015; I started my own Art Company going by the name of “Monroe Art & Co.” which is an art licensing and art gallery business. It recently just had its first Art Gala in 2015. I loved the turnout! I can’t wait to build a home for its services in the heart of Downtown San Francisco!
What is the best part of being a member of the .66 Summer residency
Being around Women. Not just a group women, but women who inspire to make a change in both their own and other communities. For the time in my art career, the .66 Summer residency has offered a tremendous amount of love. Reminding me that yes, this world is corrupted but love and support are what make us whole.
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Spike Dougherty is a queer poet residing in Oakland, CA.
Her work can be found online at claydoughworks.tumblr.com. |
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