About the Speaker: Onajide Shabaka

Onajide Shabaka’s art form is a short journey made by walking in the landscape. The evolution of this may be developed as follows: the artist goes for a walk, in the New Mexico desert, the tall trees of Oregon, the lakes of Minnesota, in a Florida swamp, for a day, or several days. During the course of the walk he may take one or more photographs, make a drawing, pick up some stones, seeds or twigs. These may be brought back to the studio and photographed, and may be published or exhibited as evidence of the performative artwork. These objects and the experience also provide germination for further research and knowledge.

I have forged a path for my artistic interests that challenges the status quo, especially the exclusivity, hermeticism and austerity of the white cubic gallery space. At the same time, my work, in its engagement with nature, history, technology, and ritual allows the viewers to experience a more holistic view of the world.

Onajide Shabaka is an Artist / Curator / Cultural Producer /Educator / Writer. He was born in 1948 in Cincinnati, OH, and lives in Miami, FL. He studied at California College of the Arts, received his BFA in photography from Florida Atlantic University, and his MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. He has shown his work in solo exhibitions in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, TX and Potsdam, Germany, among others. His work has been included in numerous group shows over the years, including exhibitions at Project Row Houses In Houston, TX, PRIZM Art Fair in Miami, Museum of Contemporary Art of North Miami, Edna Manley College of the Arts in Kingston, Jamaica, Wayne State University in Detroit, MI and Emerson Dorsch in Miami, to name a few. He has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including Oolite Arts / The Ellies, a public sculpture commission for the Carrie Meeks Foundation building in Opa Locka, FL, and a Wavemaker Grant.

Shabaka is editor of Miami Art Exchange, and director & curator of Artlab33 contemporary art Miami & Fort Lauderdale, FL, which works to provide develop projects in and beyond the white cube of the gallery. It’s goal is nomadic and utilizes various venues from storefronts, warehouses, to university galleries.

In 2020, he was Artist in Residence at IS Projects Bookmaking Residency, where he published an artist’s book, “Antilles Lacunae: points of departure” with photographs, screen printing, letterpress printing, laser cuts, a bit of text and hand bound. He is currently Artist in Residence for a month at AIRIE Everglades Artist Residency, Everglades National Park. He is represented by Emerson Dorsch Gallery in Miami.

About the Art Salons

The Art Salons are a unique gathering place for artists from throughout the South Florida region. They offer thoughtful presentations by influential professional artists whose artwork is being shown in museums and galleries in South Florida, nationally and internationally. Presenters show their work and talk about their influences, followed by stimulating discussions between the artist and the audience. These discussions cover the gamut of contemporary conceptual art practices, including cultural, socio/political, environmental, scientific, race and gender focused and aesthetic practices, the materials and techniques used to convey these ideas, and how our own work relates to the world of contemporary art. Art Salons also offer the opportunity to explore the practical side of being an artist, enhance professional development, share useful resources, and network with other artists. Art Salons have been facilitated by Elle Schorr, in conjunction with the ARMORY ART CENTER in West Palm Beach, since 2012. All are welcome to join in these timely explorations.

The Art Salons will now be presented virtually on Zoom! Tuesdays, once a month, from October to May from 7pm to 9pm.
See the Armory calendar for dates or visit www.elleschorrphotography.com