Houston FotoFest: View From Inside

Chambray shorts: J. Crew Factory (here) // Silk tank: Madewell // Sandals: Target

(photo cred to @rpchow)

This past weekend, I finally made a trip to the main FotoFest exhibits in Houston. FotoFest is a biennial city wide event that have over 80 participating spaces ranging from museums, private galleries, to even restaurants and hospitals. This year's theme was "View From Inside" which features contemporary Arab photography, video and mixed media art. All of the pieces from the main exhibits feature 48 prominent contemporary Arab artists from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Yemen, Qater, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria,  and Kuwait.

From the official FotoFest website they state:

The featured artists in the 2014 Biennial explore a diverse range of ideas and subjects important to contemporary Arab artists including: the emergence of secular art and culture in modern societies; the desert as metaphor; religion and faith in everyday life; a sense of belonging and feelings of estrangement; the complexities of East-West relationships; the rapidity of social, economic and environmental change, particularly in the Gulf region; the position of women in Arab societies; and the recent political changes in the region.

The end result was so powerful and one of my favorite FotoFests in the recent years. I regret not taking photographs of my favorite pieces since photography was prohibited, however I did purchase the commemorative book featuring every artist that participated in the main exhibit.

Below the cut are some pictures of my favorite pieces taken from the book I purchased. Sorry for the poor quality since they are photographs of the book!

Youssef Nabil (Egypt/USA)

Say Goodbye, Self Portrait, Alexandria, 2009

Hand-colored Silver Gelatin Print

Guest Post: Rachel and the Perfect Black Jeans

I have found the perfect pair of black jeans.

Prior to this my denim collection consisted of two staples - a pair of blue Cheap Monday skinnies, which did the job until a gross rip on the inner thigh around 2 months into daily wear - not even touching on Cheap Monday's unforgivable fly problem - and a sweet pair of dark wash Dejour jeans. Which were great, but also so tight and non-stretch that it is an ordeal to do any activity in them other than stand around and collect numbers. I made the mistake of taking them when I went travelling for a month. My thighs had imprints all along the sides from walking around in them for up to 8 hours each day, lingering up until a month after I returned.

Related: If you live in Melbourne, you'll probably know of Dejour as well your local dingy tavern (the Albion is mine). For over 20 years Nam Huynh has been running a tiny shop on Sydney Rd churning out custom fit jeans like a denim beast. A pair of jeans tailored perfectly to the contours of your hot bod for a clean 50 bucks every time. Lest they start losing shape with wear you can take them back any time after the purchase and he will tighten them back up right to your liking. It is an institution I support and take advantage of whenever possible. Just don't take it as far as I have (above).

Anyway: The black jeans I've found are the Arlene model by Dr Denim. Mid-rise, perfect fit, and with enough stretch so I don't ride my bike like a duck in a diaper. Here they are in a couple of different looks.

Just Jeans $5 tee, vintage belt, Dr Denim jeans

Kookai button-down, vintage belt, Dr Denim jeans

Interview Feature: Phuong

Meet Phuong Pham. Ridiculously crafty, ridiculously talented, and just an amazing artist all around. She has  been transplanted to Los Angeles by way of Philly and Baltimore. She has an MFA in Book Arts/Printmaking though now she has been mostly working on her drawing and fiber arts these days.

I've admired her from afar for many years, so I was really excited when she agreed to do an interview for Within Color and man, did she deliver. 

9th Annual Asian Pacific Asian Film Festival

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 9th Annual Asian Pacific Asian Film Festival hosted by OCA-Greater Houston and held at Brilliart Studios. I didn't even know there was an Asian-American film community in Houston! Brilliart was a cute little studio in the middle of "China town" that's still expanding and very cool. The film fest was a free four day event that showcased Asian Pacific Asian film makers about issues within the community. The films ranged from witty and laughable moments, to real tear jerkers.


It was a great event, especially since they even showcased local film makers that were there for Q&A and commentary. I was only able to attend for one day, however, now I have a whole list of films and documentaries I want to check out.

Cultural Appropriation: A conversation

Images courtesy of Sanaa Hamid 

"Tom" (Left): "It's not religious to me but an expression of colour and print--something Beautiful."
"Unknown Sikh Man" (Right): "My turban is for honour, self-respect...It is our identity as Sikhs. To wear it for fashion...that is wrong."

A few weeks ago, my fellow WC contributor Alicia wrote a very good introduction post to cultural appropriation so I thought it would be fitting to elaborate, expand, and discuss it further here now. What better way to do it than with a WOC artist who is exploring it herself?

I came across this art project by UK photographer Sanaa Hamid called "Cultural Appropriation: A Conversation." The project is "an exploration of the extent of cultural appropriation and encourages a discussion about it." Juxtaposing two photos, Sanaa gives the appropriator and the appropriated the "opportunity to defend themselves." 

Click the cut to see more of Sanaa's project and to read a very insightful interview I did with the artist. 

Interview Feature: Maitri

With the continued growth of Within Color, I'm hopin' to regularly feature and interview more women of color artists, fashionistas, activists, etc so I'm ridiculously excited to kick off this newest blog feature with Maitri Mehta, a powerhouse of creative talent and witty commentary. I've been following Maitri's embroidery journey from its beginning stages and I am damn proud to see her flourish and succeed in something that brings her genuine joy. Cliche and overused, but she is surely a force to be reckoned with. I have absolutely no doubts that Big Things are comin' up for this babe. Maitri, don't forget us when you're rich n famous from your creative pursuits one day.



1. What made you want to pick up embroidery? 

Desperation honestly. Possible Personal Journal, but I was feeling really low and hadn't created anything in a long time-- I couldn't write! Apparently it's hard for me to be a prolific poet when I'm Sad. So I needed something to pour all my sadness/bad energy/nasty anxiety into and embroidery is something that was always peripherally on my radar. I draw a little bit and used to paint in the past and just wanted something new to teach myself. I was hoping the learning process would help me shut off my brain a little bit and it totally did.

2. What are your daily sources of inspiration?

Don't mean to sound like a rustic wall plaque you see at Pier 1 Imports but ~inspiration is everywhere.~ I went to the gynecologist today and picked up a little pamphlet which has some sweet, simple illustrations re: how to give yourself a breast exam and I think I want to stitch it into a series. 

3. Which embroidery project did you most enjoy working on? 

I think the slut pomegranate was my favorite because I used some needle painting and shading and I love how it turned out! I taught myself a bunch of new and different stitches for that one.

Guest Post: Rachel

Here is another guest post from the talented designer and illustrator, Rachel Shi. For extra background information, check out her first post over here.

Started some work at a new agency this week, so keeping it casual. A coworker told me that James Jean's illustrations were nice but creepy. Mate, if tote bag aesthetics freak you out wait until you hear about the war on terror.

Dotti top, Sportsgirl tank, Dejour jeans

Black & Leopard: The Graduation Cap Edition

If you read my personal blog, you'll know that I'm graduating from college this weekend. My college happens to have zero restrictions on how you decorate your graduation cap, and I've known ever since I was a freshman that I wanted to have some wild and crazy design on mine. However, I am not, I repeat -- NOT a crafty girl by any means. I'm the girl who has the fun DIY board on Pinterest yet never attempts to make a single thing that I've pinned. I switched from being a fashion merchandising major to a communication major mainly because I couldn't handle being in the school of the arts. 

I stumbled upon this awesome tutorial from Wilker Do's on how to bling out your graduation cap using rhinestones. I freehanded pretty much the entire thing, minus the "2013" at the bottom. It's pretty easy to wing a leopard print. 

Guest Post: Rachel

Meet Rachel Shi, a 21 year old Chinese designer and illustrator from Melbourne, Australia. I spent a good chunk of time perusing her portfolio and tumblr and I suggest you do the same; her illustrations are incredible.

Denim Jacket: Amsterdam Market // Dress: Thrifted 

closer look at the amazing renaissance print

Top: Neuw baseball tee // Skirt: Vintage leather // Accessories: Casio watch

Top: Plane tee // Skirt: AA black denim circle skirt //
Denim Jacket: Amsterdam market // Accessories: wooden earrings from France

1) How would you describe your style?

Clean, minimalistic, classic, basic. Neutral tones, cool patterns. My everyday outfit is kinda sporty school girl gone corporate.

2) What are your wardrobe staples?
Button ups, short skirts, denim jackets, boots.

3) What problematic issues do you face within fashion/beauty as a WOC?
Sexualisation with regard to everything.

4) What current issues are you passionate about?
Intersectionality and all it entails.

Jak

Worship

Moon

Thanks Rachel! To follow and check out her further work: Portfolio | Sketch Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest