Interview

October 5, 2020

1,000-Square-Foot Mosaic Honors Pioneering Black Suffragette Ida B. Wells [Interview]

Recently, the U.S. celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment—an amendment that gave some, not all, women the right to vote. To honor the efforts of suffragettes, the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission helped sponsor the creation of a 1,000-foot installation featuring a portrait of a prominent figure of the movement—Ida B. Wells, a Black woman whose story of activism begins over 130 years ago.

Read Article

August 26, 2020

Illustrator Imagines Powerful Warriors as a Diverse Group of Strong Women [Interview]

From Disney’s depiction of Mulan to Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke, female warriors in animated films are undoubtedly legendary—but a rarity. Women in fantasy art and film are still vastly underrepresented, especially characters that embody diversity. Artist Yael Nathan seeks to change this. She’s created an illustrated series of powerful women warriors that represent many shapes, sizes, and skin colors. Female heroines are often depicted as young, physically fit, and attractive (by society's standards).

Read Article

July 28, 2020

Powerful BLM Video Projections Help Reclaim Controversial Robert E. Lee Monument [Interview]

In Virginia, one artist is helping his community reclaim a controversial monument in the name of Black Lives Matter. The Robert E. Lee Monument now stands as the only remaining Confederate statue on Richmond's historic Monument Avenue. While litigation ties up the statue's removal, light projection artist Dustin Klein is using his art to change the meaning of this contentious monument.

Read Article

June 26, 2020

Artist Creates Portraits of Black People Killed by Police, a Minute of Color for Every Year of Life [Interview]

Artist Adrian Brandon creates work that focuses on the Black experience. While part of this centers around the “unique joy, swagger, and love” that is shared in the community, Brandon also uses his talents to mourn the Black people who have been killed by police. Through his ongoing series called Stolen, Brandon draws portraits of the many men, women, and children whose lives were tragically cut short.

Read Article

My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.