Scholars-In-Residence
IONA ROZEAL BROWN
Iona Rozeal Brown's most recent paintings are an unprecedented mixture of anonymous courtesans, geisha and other Japanese subjects. She explores the theme of Afro-Asiatic allegory, addressing the global influence of African American culture as fetish. Brown 's work signals the energy, critical direction and complexity of contemporary practice that is engaged in a tenuous marriage of commerce and resistance.
In her paint, brown intertextually juxtaposes color and texture, a technique that parallels her artistry as a DJ. Both practices emerge from a process of self-sampling and remixing, devices employed by media to create its own endless permutations or representations and meanings. Throughout her work, Brown brings a subversive reading to her art, and manipulates hyper self-conscious imagery to articulate contemporary concerns regarding race, gender and class.
CARLOS "MARE139" RODRIGUEZ
A 2010 USA Artist Nominee, and a 2010 HHTF Creative Grant award winner, Carlos "Mare 139" Rodriguez is a sculptor/painter who in 1985 pioneered a novel version of urban graffiti as modern sculpture. Throughout his career as a sculptor, Mare139 has consistently brought innovation to the genreʼs aesthetic and vocabulary. Exhibiting and lecturing throughout the US and Europe his uniquely qualified experience lends voice to importance of arts advocacy and art literacy to ensure and promote the rich cultural legacy of urban arts.
Beyond fine art Mare139 designed and created the award for the Annual BET/Black Entertainment Award, recipients include Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Prince, Jay Z, Prince Snoop Dog,
Beyonce, Kobe Bryant, and many others. He also designed the G-Unit Award expressly for 50 Cent commissioned for him by fashion designer Marc Ecko. Other award projects include the 2005 and 2007 Red Bull Beat Battle Award and the SPY Award for the 30th Anniversary of the Rock Steady Crew. He has also earned the prestigious 2006 Webby Award for his launch of the Hip Hop documentary Style Wars website.
In 2006-07 Mare 139 worked closely with Actor/Director Robert DeNiro on the film The Good Shepherd documenting ʻthe making of the movieʼ and as member of Mr. DeNiroʼs editing team. His writings have
been published in collaboration with Martha Coopers brilliant photo book Street Play that documents the imaginative ʻplayʼ of children in the streets of NYC in the late 1970ʼs. Mare139 captures his coming of age in the creative play and dangers of his youth in the South Bronx.
Currently, he is exhibiting sculpture and painting, and is a creative consultant to companies like NIKE, Jordan Brand, Red Bull and many others.
www.mare139.com, www.M139design.com