Artist Elizabeth Catlett Mora (April 15, 1915 – April 2, 2012)

Thank You Elizabeth Catlett for having inspired the world and may you rest in peace!

Her legacy will live on forever...............

Man of Style: Architect David Adjaye

Stefano Tonchi Celebrates the W May Design Issue and the Book Launch of David Adjaye's A House for an Art Collector. David Adjaye is an award winning architect of the eponymous, innovative architectural and design firm whose work spans across a diverse and global platform.


Proudly boasting a multicultural and multinational team, Adjaye Associates is stimulated and nurtured by the broadest possible perspective and curiosity, resulting in a rupturing nucleus of creativity and building a legacy to be reckoned with.

Adjaye was born in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam and travelled the world with his diplomatic father until the family settled in London. He earned his BA at London South Bank University, before graduating with an MA in 1993 from the Royal College of Art. I will definitely be adding this book to my bookshelf.

Afrolista of the Week: Artist Karin Turner

Artist: Karin Turner

My Afrolista of the week is the fabulous artist, Karin Turner. I love her work and have collected three of her fabulous paintings and platters over the past three years. I fell in love with Karin's art while visiting the Essence Music Festival, where this woman's art sells out every time.


One of her pretty wall plates.

Karin specializes in creating images that feature the diverse and ever appealing spectrum of women of African descent.


This one is in my living room.


Turners work is synonymous with the single thought of uplifting optimism; Life is Luscious!" Her images feature a semi-autobiographical character "H2O Melon Girl" who boasts a crown of natural hair, lives in the moment, and is happy with the curvaceous figure she possesses.


This one is in my favorite because it deals with reading and gaining knowledge.

This artist's trademark watermelons are her metaphor for life. Turner has liberated the watermelon from the stereotypical thoughts people often associate people of African descent with when it comes to this highly nutritious fruit. Turner is aware of the historical pain often associated with the watermelon and has evoked the image of the Yoruba Goddess of the sea, Yemaya, whose favorite fruit is the watermelon to change this stereotype.



This one is in my dining room right along with my Redouté botanical prints.

She uses the belief in personal autonomy to battle long held perceptions, because with true autonomy, you have liberation. She applies that ideal not just to watermelon, but also to the prevailing notion of physical beauty: slenderness. To view or purchase images of her work, go here.