If Hip Hop Had A Face

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About Face Artist Collective recently showcased art exhibit If Hip Hop Had A Face: A Portrait Experience.
Paintings from Artist Kwame Delfish, Georgia Fullterton, Peterson Joseph , among various other artist, filled the top floor of the Proper Reserve Clothing Store.  The representation of  Hip Hop through various pieces of Art, accented with music by DJ Sean Sax  mixed with the laid back vibe of the location, made the exhibit a great success.

Prior to the event, I hoped at least one of the several artist would “think out of the box” and take the time to truly represent the face of Hip Hop. Since, we all know (or should know) that Hip Hop is more than just music and entertainers. Hip Hop is truly a culture of people, places and things. I was convinced I would see at least one Biggie, Tupac, Run DMC or even Jay Z in the collection (they are all arguably great representations of the Hip Hop Culture) but I hoped to see something beyond the obvious. Surprisingly, I did.

Artist Georgia Fullerton
CLOSER TO THE SOURCE:  a simple portrait of a woman intensely occupied with her thoughts.

“In this painting I express how style and fashion in Hip-Hop Culture is never the book cover that we judge.”

Artist Kwame Delfish
RUSSELL SIMMONS: from Krush Grooves to Yoga Moves.

“Uncle Russ, the Dali Lama of the Hip Hop Movement known not just for his spirituality but for his dedication to teaching and empowering other’s. His contribution to the Hip Hop Culture continues to be unmatched as he is always looking for new ways of taking Hip Hop to higher heights……not just the face of Hip Hop but the face of change.”

Artist Peterson Joseph
HIP HOP DEITY:  She Is Hip Hop

“Inspired by the Goddess of knowledge, music & art, Saraswati exudes the four elements of music: mind, alertness, ego, intellect.  Her stories are real, gritty, painful & triumphant. They tell of her trials, tribulations, failures and successes. Representing the universal, divine and true knowledge with confidence she channels every emotion and feeling into the heart and soul of music. She is strong. She is powerful. She is Hip Hop.”

Proper Reserve Clothing Store
    

Music By DJ Sean Sax.

OVO Canada Goose

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Drake’s Creative Director Oliver El-Khatib collaborated with Canada Goose to launch the offical October’s Very Own – Canada Goose Chilliwack Jacket. The limited edition Black Chilliwack  will be available at Nomad, Colette, Opening Ceremony and in NYC: Nom De Guerre & Nepenthes. With every purchase you will receive a copy of Drake mixtapes Room For Improvement, Comeback Season , & So Far Gone.

” We first talked about the Canada Goose collabo about a year ago and thought it was a great idea. They took a nostalgic piece from their heritage and improved upon it with fit, fabrication, and detail. The standout component is the hood’s coyote fur lining. They used triple the amount of fur that is used on a standard issue Chilliwack, which was inspired by the Lance Mackey collaboration with the same brand. Taking cues from dog sled racers to their own culture, OVO is making true and authentic decisions and creations that expand beyond hip-hop.”

Zimbabwean Sculptor Passmore Mashaya Toronto Exhibit.

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Zimbabwean Sculptor Passmore Mashaya attended the opening ceremonies of his personal sculpting exhibition at the Cultural Expressions Art Gallery , last Sunday. For those not familiar with Passmore Mashaya, he’s a soft spoken individual that transforms stone in it’s rawest form to create beautiful human and animal like images. Sculpting for approximately twenty years (since 1990), it only seemed fitting that he would follow the path of sculpting. Since, Passmore’s Uncle Moses Mashaya & Aunt Agnes Nyanhongo (who he assisted as a child) were both prominent sculptors in Zimbabwe. Agnes Nyanhongo is regarded the most successful female Zimbabwean stone sculptor. 
  

Passmore’s work has been purchased by Collector’s across the globe; Canada, The United States, Germany, Holland and England. His piece entitled “Princess” was purchased and placed in the Palace of the Queen of England.  Most recently he finished his piece Humble Woman (shown below) right here in Toronto. Using Pink Granite, Passmore stated that it could take him anywhere from fifteen days to two months to complete a piece (maybe longer depending on the complexity). Many of his other works include various stones from Zimbabwe; Red Sandstone, Soapstone, Cobalt, Black Iron Serpentine and Springstone.

Stone: Pink Granite

Stone: Springstone (various grades)

Giving back is very important to him. Passmore is an instructor to apprentices (some as young as 10 years old) and proceeds from sculpture sales are donated to assist needy children and adults, in his community.

Passmore Mashaya
Contact: 905-427-2412
culturalexpressions@sympatico.ca
Gallery Location:
62 Old Kingston Rd.
Pickering Village
Ajax, ON L1T 2Z7