Being an artist, writer, musician, teacher, journalist, or other professions involves a lifetime of learning and a never-ending-journey. Perhaps no one understands this better than Kamala Ibrahim Ishaq, who graduated from the College of Fine Arts in Khartoum in 1963 and was a founding member of the Khartoum School, a modern art movement established in … Continue reading
Category Archives: images
Australian Aboriginal art resists and resists
Art is never just art in this ripped up mess of a world. Today’s Aboriginal art is often an expression of cultural sovereignty and survival, in a country which oppresses Aboriginal people, but uses Aboriginal heritage and art as a commodity – as a highly profitable souvenir. This post aims to celebrate various Aboriginal artists … Continue reading
Iran in photos: These are the people the US won’t let in
In the giant main square of Isfahan, two women eating saffron ice-cream came up to myself and a friend and asked us where we’re from. We replied, and with huge smiles they said “Welcome to Iran!” then walked off. Over the next week this sort of thing happened frequently, and sometimes extended into questions about … Continue reading
Art for sexual diversity
Over the past few months Australians have been subject to a postal poll on whether everyone should have the right to get married, or just male-female couples. In defending sexual diversity, Aussies have created some vibrant and inspiring art – with just a sample of it shared below: Source: ABC Artist: n2o_jo Artist: teganiverson Artist: … Continue reading
Photographing disability
…or just photographing life. Lori L. Simpson describes herself as a “writer, artist, proud Texas native and human being- who happens to have disabilities”. For now, Simpson is living in an assisted living centre. Continue reading
Capitalism loves boring
“Rebel children, I urge you, fight the turgid slick of conformity with which they seek to smother your glory.” ― Russell Brand “There are no norms. All people are exceptions to a rule that doesn’t exist.” ― Fernando Pessoa Drawing by Leunig. Continue reading
Mexico’s magical monsters… and the Trump alebrije that rocked it
With 60% of Mexicans working informally, often selling all sorts of cheap goods in the streets and on public transport, and neoliberalism tightly gripping the country, culture can play an important role in countering the overwhelming consumerism. I took these photos at Mexico’s annual alebrije parade yesterday: 200 unique and wonderful monster-things wove their way … Continue reading
Mining scars: occupation continues (art)
Jacky Green wants people to know what the big mining companies are getting away with on his land – land that’s far away from the eyes of the mainstream media and the dominant methods of communication. And that’s how his art becomes resistance and gives voice to an unvoiced people and to a cause. Mining in … Continue reading
Remember when they burnt down the buses
Marcus’ photos of destruction wrought by right wing violence in Venezuela 2014, of the rain-soaked and bright-eyed supporters at Chavez’s last election rally in 2013, of the kids of the alternative school, are beautiful because they defy the media stereotypes of what these moments, events, and experiences are like. The kids are empowered, rather than receivers … Continue reading
Charity for the homeless, or not?
What do you think? By Meek Art or not? By Michael Aaron Williams Some people would probably notice this artwork portraying homeless people before they would notice real homeless people. Maybe that’s because the art has a message, but aren’t homeless people themselves a pretty serious comment on society? Continue reading
The different shapes of death
A child saw death as something to be put up with, and not as something that came in old age, because most of her brothers had been killed. Likewise, some people fear death, some believe in some sort of afterlife, and others don’t. For some in this world, death is normalised and funerals are weekly things. … Continue reading
Portraits from prison: Using photography to see more
Eva Haule is an activist who spent 20 years in prison, including time in solitary and on hunger strike. She said photography “filled the emptiness”. Day after day, seeing the same things, photography gave her the opportunity to see more or to look at things again, differently. In her photos, prisoners are humanized again, and we … Continue reading