beyond the canvas | Dale Grimshaw

My experiences as a child in a very difficult and potentially violent environment, has had a strong impact on all parts of my life. My father was a violent and cruel man, whose presence in the family home caused physical and emotional pain for us all. My mum was the focus of his violent behaviour and she really suffered at his hands. We were left homeless after fleeing the family home. We lived in so many places after that, including a caravan in a farmer’s field and also a gutted farm house that was home to chickens – the chickens still came in to visit after that! My oldest sister witnessed a lot more than me and sadly I believe it really brought the worst out in her in later years. Being a child in that type of situation is a nightmare. All the things that should be there to support you and help you develop as an adult are undermined by the fear and unpredictability of the situation. My mother did her best to protect us, but she was lonely and vulnerable herself. Despite all that happened in the early days, my Mum’s love has shone through for me and I have held onto that as an adult, despite losing her tragically early when I was only nineteen. Without this love, I can’t imagine how I could have carried on and achieved anything as an adult. I’m always intrigued yet horrified when I read in the paper about murderers or people that have sex slaves in their basements. Neighbours are quoted as saying things like “ooh he was such a quiet and polite man… who would have thought”. Sociopaths can be the most worrying, as we like to think we can summarise and judge people quickly and accurately – but we can’t always. Who knows what some people are up to behind closed doors… My work really started taking off when I realized that it was ok to express some of the darker emotions in my art. For a long time I kept a lid on all these feelings. My piece called ‘Exorcism’ is the first piece in which I found my creative voice and it’s still one of the most powerful images I have ever painted.

-  Dale Grimshaw (As told to Patrick Palmer of Ragazine)

Source: Ragazine 

carolina ardor | Crooked Smile: The Visual

There’s a reason why Jermaine Cole stands to be one of the few mainstream artists that I admire in this new generation of hip-hop and it’s because he doesn’t allow his new found stature to distance him from the people. His music runs parallel to the everyday struggles of everyday people and I appreciate him for doing that. His latest visual for his single, Crooked Smile, further validates my opinion of him as he decided to provide an artistic message by highlighting the heinous murder of Aiyana Stanley-Jones. If you’re not aware of who she is, then please research it because if I reveal it, it will spoil your experience in watching this amazing work of art. 

The Brinda Project | Brazil + India in Art

The cultural project Brinda - Brazil and India on Art is a street art project, promoted by the Brazilian Embassy in India, where a Brazilian artist (Sergio Cordeiro) and an Indian artist (Harsh Singh) will mix their styles, features, colors and different views on their culture in wall paintings and murals scattered around the capital of India, New Delhi, between September and November 2012...The idea has grown! And so, we bring forth  a research project and experience of Indian culture and Brazilian culture, through the experience (Brazilian and Indian working together in India), stories (testimonials from Indians living in Brazil and Brazilians living in India, and art! 

The First Wall

The Second Wall 

I love it when cultures not only embrace each other but do it in the name or rather view of Art. Some ignoramuses can refer to this as vandalism or degradation of property but in my eyes this is nothing but beauty. The Brinda Project is intended to be a documentary as Sergio and Harsh are recording every minute of their cultural journey in New Delhi and as soon as I know a release date, I'll be sure to spread the word. 

Credit: BRINDA 

ripped | Sessilee Lopez x Treats Mag

WARNING: If you are easily offended by nudity and/or the gorgeous female anatomy then please remove your presence from this site and contemplate whether or not you are offended by your own nudity when you are unclothed in your bathroom mirror. 

Artistically Correct | Bruno Bisang

Bruno Bisang is a talented and dope photographer that I have admired every since I was introduced to his work about four years ago. In his photographs, you can almost feel the chemistry between him and his subject (i.e. model) just by looking at the image and that is a rare quality for photographers to possess. However, it almost seems natural for the world renown Bruno Bisang which is something I absolutely love...Natural passion. 

Credit: Bruno Bisang 

City Lifer | Paper Frank's Mural Reveal

This past weekend I took a visit to Ginza Boutique in the Underground to check out the talented, visual artist, Paper Frank reveal his mural he created in the boutique...which is amazing. It was a nice event and I also decided to capture some city lifers in the midst of it. Dismiss judgment of my photography skills as my "on-hand" photographer couldn't participate :(  But enjoy! 

Special thanks to my city style models! 

Art Design: Alvaro Tapia Hidalgo

Such thought provoking pieces....See more than just what you see. 

Credit: Alvaro Tapia Hidalgo 

Check out more of Hidalgo's work here.