https://youtu.be/GEawEY4CDaE This year's Istanbul Biennial theme “Saltwater” suggests restorative properties; cleansing, nourishing and “healing” as the curator, Christov-Bakargiev, has indicated. And it was the latter of these properties that resonated with me when I escaped the tourist sites (which ironically, I became a sight for the locals and tourists fixated on a black girl wandering around... Continue Reading →
Brown Seoul: Hip-Hop culture in South Korea’s capital
https://youtu.be/OZGBdNY6xJc Since opening its doors in a basement location in HapJeong 합정, Brown club aka Brown Soul / Seoul has continued to provide a service offering locals and visitors alike a haven for hip-hop, funk, soul and R’n’B in South Korea's capital. I had the opportunity to experience "Hip-Hop" culture in Seoul earlier this year... Discovering... Continue Reading →
Seoul siSTARS: Black Girls Rock Korea
Highlighting two amazing young African-American women who've ditched the limitations of their home country that come with being women - and black, to reap opportunities that South Korea has to offer them - despite the obvious challenges. They've adopted the Korean culture and language which makes them blend in, yet they're using their 'blackness' to their... Continue Reading →
In conversation with Sam Okyere: Ghana’s Rising Black Star in Korea
https://youtu.be/jLq9ODJBNvA Just hours after arriving in Seoul, I'd already heard the name "Samuel Okyere" mentioned to me whenever I introduced myself as a Ghanaian... And the pattern continued late into the evening. So without much hesitation, in under 24hrs after arriving in Korea, I took to twitter to reach out to the Ghanaian TV personality... Continue Reading →
Guylene Solon Kora Love #Art4Change
https://youtu.be/a0F8ckveE2c When Guylene Solon turned up at my door step a couple of days ago with more than just a suitcase, I knew this would be an opportunity to utilise her talent (of which she has many) in collaboration with #Art4ChangeHaiti. Seeing her Kora (an African harp) carefully unpacked from its durable casing (where Guylene travels,... Continue Reading →
On the streets with Daniele Tamagni “Gentlemen of Bacongo”
On the streets of Soho with award-winning photographer Daniele Tamagni… When Daniele Tamagni's in town, I don't need much of an excuse to catch up with the "Gentlemen of Bacongo" photographer. I've known Tamagni, who shot pictures for my portfolio back in the days when I used to model, for over 8 years. Yet despite the critical acclaim... Continue Reading →
The stencil on the wall: Joe Turpin talks being South African, comparison to Banksy and “Park’s Pleasure” debut
With a successful exhibition already to his name, it's easy to forget the "pop art expressionism" artist is only 19, a student and living in thousands of miles away from home; Johannesburg. In this exclusive interview Joe Turpin talks; being South African, comparison to Bansky and his debut art work "Park’s Pleasure" What are some of... Continue Reading →
His First: Yoruba Deity Eshu (Exu) told through film
"When I met Dionisis Kostakis on my second day in Rio de Janeiro last year, there was little about him, if nothing at all, that indicated his unusual hobby..." I wrote in the blog post From Candomblé to Voudun… Eshu to Shango… These are a few of his favourite things. Two years later, his "unusual hobby" has... Continue Reading →
Edrin’s bedside table: Books on Africa
http://youtu.be/CY33Jitl8Mc I spent the weekend in Berlin hanging out with Edrin Kondi - a friend I met during my trip to Ghana in 2010... I couldn't help notice the books about Africa he had sitting on his bedside table... This was my excuse to get an interview with my host and find out a bit... Continue Reading →
Street Food Thursday: Going Vegan with Sisley in Berlin
Thursday is the "new weekend" So it's been proclaimed! And if that's the case I landed in Berlin just in time for a treat; "Wochen Market" - a weekly food event which attracts both locals and tourists to the hub of Berlin's thriving food scene. Food blogger Sisley Killam shows me Street Food Thursday ... And a pretty good reason... Continue Reading →