BLAK KANVAS Podcasts
BLAK KANVAS podcasts bring you inside the world of art and cultural impact hosted by Suni Mullen.
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Season One: The Revisionists
In this season of The Revisionists, host Suni Mullen explores the process and goals of six women artists currently making their mark in the 21st century. Listen to them share in their own words, their mission, creative milestones, and honest experiences that have led them to create the content available for us to view today. As contemporary artists, we are sharing our conversations to spark new thoughts and inciting others to be inspired to aspire further into their craft. This podcast is based on interviews held in early 2020 with photos courtesy of xceptional.studio™.
Listen to the episodes
Lauren Halsey: Blueprint
Lauren Halsey expresses how she is leaving her blueprint in Los Angeles using her architectural knowledge to 'funkify' our environments and immortalize the community during a time of heavy gentrification. We met while her sculptural exhibition at the David Kordansky Gallery activated the space with: “If you know, you know" monuments of South Central including shared moments, signage, literal reflections, and notable figures that have made an impact on the community.
Lauren Halsey expresses how she is leaving her blueprint in Los Angeles using her architectural knowledge to 'funkify' our environments and immortalize the community during a time of heavy gentrification. We met while her sculptural exhibition at the David Kordansky Gallery activated the space with: “If you know, you know" monuments of South Central including shared moments, signage, literal reflections, and notable figures that have made an impact on the community.
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Memo from Suni, BLAK KANVAS ™: An immense amount of gratitude is given to Lauren Halsey for her willingness and openness to be the first person to say "yes," to a project that began as an idea. I am so inspired and am in complete awe of the work being synthesized and actions that aide in the betterment for our people. Halsey's approach is colorful, creative, and in sync with the people. For your offerings, I thank you.
Jillian Suzanne: Ancestral
Jillian Suzanne welcomed me to navigate through her private studio. In this episode, she shares that she is using a 1950’s Oxford Dictionary to inform her current works. Suzanne uses pages from the dictionary that host words that have been propagated to oppress and describe Black Americans. We then transition into how she has re-contextualized her findings of her ancestry into her newer works that have evolved from abstract works in black and white to releasing ancestral trauma with colors and physical depictions.
Jillian Suzanne welcomed me to navigate through her private studio. In this episode, she shares that she is using a 1950’s Oxford Dictionary to inform her current works. Suzanne uses pages from the dictionary that host words that have been propagated to oppress and describe Black Americans. We then transition into how she has re-contextualized her findings of her ancestry into her newer works that have evolved from abstract works in black and white to releasing ancestral trauma with colors and physical depictions.
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Memo from Suni, BLAK KANVAS ™: I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to interview Jillian Suzanne. Her energy is so vibrant and exciting. As I learn more about other artists, I gain a further understanding about myself through their vulnerability. Suzanne works to inform and challenge previous thoughts in addition to her own. She actively seeks to acquire more knowledge about herself which in turn, informs her practice. Thank you so much for willingness to participate.
Lanise Howard: Cognizant
Lanise Howard sits down with Suni Mullen during an open studio visit. Lanise shares her experience during school and how she works to actively rebel against weighted comments. We acknowledge how being great can be difficult but the momentum does not stop because there is a greater goal of success in mind, “God got this.” The large sized canvases provoke emotions of surrealism and can be intimidating which provokes thoughts and a desire to know more not only about the piece, but also about the artist.
Lanise Howard sits down with Suni Mullen during an open studio visit. Lanise shares her experience during school and how she works to actively rebel against weighted comments. We acknowledge how being great can be difficult but the momentum does not stop because there is a greater goal of success in mind, “God got this.” The large sized canvases provoke emotions of surrealism and can be intimidating which provokes thoughts and a desire to know more not only about the piece, but also about the artist.
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Memo from Suni, BLAK KANVAS ™: I am entirely grateful for Lanise. She consistently shares information. Her kindness stretches far and her work I am so inspired by because it lets me know that my ability cannot be stifled. With all 101 questions, she takes time to share her experience and boundless methods for me to get ahead. A sincerest thank you to Lanise.
Eilen Itzel Mena: Progressive
This episode focuses on Eilen Itzel Mena, and how she revises how we channel gods and the use colors to invoke energetic presence over figures. Mena is known for her vibrant use of colors and symbolage grounded in the religion of Ifa: a religious practice traditional to the Yoruba people. Her latest solo exhibition at Leiminspace Gallery invites guests to immerse themselves into bursts of zeal.
This episode focuses on Eilen Itzel Mena, and how she revises how we channel gods and the use colors to invoke energetic presence over figures. Mena is known for her vibrant use of colors and symbolage grounded in the religion of Ifa: a religious practice traditional to the Yoruba people. Her latest solo exhibition at Leiminspace Gallery invites guests to immerse themselves into bursts of zeal.
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Memo from Suni, BLAK KANVAS ™: Every time an artist agrees to speak with me, I become so overwhelmed and filled with joy. Eilen is so kind and thoughtful. She shared so much with me and guided me through her solo exhibition. The vulnerability allowed for us to talk for so long and neither of us wanted to depart. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to visit her work in person and learn further about her ethos and vision for progression. Thank you Eilen, so much.