Our cups runneth over with talent this week, because we're talking to all the artists at Fresh Squeezed 2 at the Morean Arts Center, which opens Saturday night. Katrina Sarah Miller's an inspiring, intelligent interview — keep reading to see what we mean.
How did you discover Fresh Squeezed 2?
While looking for opportunities for Floridian artists, I frequented a few sites where I saw the Fresh Squeezed 2 listing. As an emerging artist, I found the title to be fitting and ultimately the best place to showcase my photography collection SABER.
What brought you to Florida?
My grandparents originally came to Florida first, after immigrating to London from Jamaica. My immediate family moved from England about a decade later. After living in Los Angeles for school, I am brought back to Florida again. I find the tropical environment of South Florida, proximity to my family and emerging creative opportunities the ideal place to spend these next years of my life. I love wearing my sandals 365 days a year and having access to the amazing nature reserves, bird watches and beaches from a five- to a 35-minute drive away.
How does Florida inform your work?
Florida is establishing creative communities amidst thriving immigration from the Caribbean and Latin America. The environments I know and love are already undergoing major construction. There are less and less green spaces, the forested areas are being sacrificed for real estate and I feel powerless every time I see another crane. I understand that with population growth, these changes are inevitable. The abundance of Afro-Caribbean events has been exciting and I am glad Florida has become a place of community, where others would like to start and continue building their families. These emotions inform my work. I want the professional mobility to work with environmental organizations, family and community based causes, as well as health and nutrition companies. I feel the flexibility in being surrounded by nature, supporting women and families, and learning more about nutrition and health is a combination of work worth pursuing here in Florida. As an creative person within this emerging economy, I want a multifaceted approach and Florida provides me the possibility.
Talk to us about SABER and women — what inspired you?
The environments of my youth have ranged from the lush backyard of my childhood home, brim with ripe ackee and mango trees in summer, to concrete pathways in South Los Angeles — the momentum of urban creativity and undeniable musical cultures — to the suburbs of Hertfordshire, where small homes line the street and the rooms are half the size — compared to America, that is. Together they nurtured the woman I am today. While living in Los Angeles, I was amazed at the constant construction and influx of people, combined with the staggering piles of junk, trash and filth. The whole equation seemed unsustainable. I began photographing these changing environments as I worked on an independent thesis titled Dancing in Tongues. I wanted to present the moving female form amidst these spaces and visually show how traditions and histories of healing, cooking, and simply spending time in nature are reservoirs of strength for women. My desire to heal my community is natural, my desire to nourish my family is natural, and my desire to flow freely is natural. My definition of femininity began to develop as I found solace in the bible verse, "She girds herself with strength." (NKJV Proverbs 31:17) and I slowly began to develop the qualities of life and work I found pleasing. I began to step into my decision making process as a woman and where I was weak, I allowed my day to day self care, recipes, and evening walks to strengthen me. These photos represent that time of my life and the process of maturation. I turned to aloe vera, the abundant plant in my yard and family homes, cassava, the root vegetable I saw my grandmother use in so many different ways, and plantain, the dish I am always ready to enjoy. This selection of photography features my Aunty, whose strength is found in her gentleness, sweetness, and faithfulness.
What about the exhibit excites you most?
I am excited to pursue more visual possibilities. Although I've worked with photography for years, this project happened very spontaneously. I am a trained ballet and jazz dancer and my childhood desire was to become a poet! The visual realm is one I've always admired yet felt more of a reverence for the traditions of the formidable Kerry James Marshall, the passionate Frida Kahlo, and the inquisitive Betye Saar than to begin my own practice. To be selected for an exhibit has given me enthusiasm to develop the foundation of this new visual practice. The instant connections of photography and visual content allows me to keep it moving. I know what I am drawn to and if there are people who feel my work, they do, and if they don't, they don't. There's no drama, no discussion, we simply keep it moving. I appreciate the pace of the art world and I'd like to continue learning about how I can take up space. I hope my work resonates with women, Caribbean people, and immigrants and that this opportunity opens doors into beautiful, healthy, creative spaces for my adulthood.
Where else can people see your work?
Currently, I am working on a website where I will showcase and sell art pieces and clothing that will be accessible at womanuncontained.com . Also, my Instagram is @womanuncontained. "woman uncontained" is my freestyle name; if there's a hip hop or jazz dance cypher, you'll hear me talking myself up, "A woman uncontained is about to start flowing, and she'll k-k-keep on going." I'm a force, passionate, and at peace when I am in motion. The dancing female and male forms are so lovely to me and you will see more of my work exploring this theme. Also please check out SOKAMBA Performing Arts Company, a group of dancers, musicians, and poets who commit themselves to truth, community and positivity, a Los Angeles based company run by the phenomenal Rissi Zimmermann. I am a member and so proud of their upcoming show at the Dome Vortex this summer 2018. Please show them love and support them on all accounts @SOKAMBA.
What’s the difference between activism and art?
Activism directly addresses the history and the present consequences of dangerous choices, that perhaps at the time were the only choices available, in the public and personal realms. Activism equips the people with the tools to understand these narratives so that the healing process can be powerful and life affirming. Art is a personal process that at times is shared or revealed. Art imagines the future and the ideals we wish to develop into, or warning of the monstrosities in error. Damien Marley's art is a combination of phrases to both bless you and to warn yuh! He creates for the public and maintains a personal practice. His albums are timeless. Art has the ability to impact and move us. I realize I am more excited to see art since the timelines are decided by the producers, while I find activism always critically important, because it is a constant examination made available in various formats. I await FKA twigs next projects and I read The Black Scholar from time to time to keep my mind aware of the history, the present and the future. Academics I am encouraged by include Dr. Kevin Quashie, whose book The Sovereignty of Quiet truly changed my life, and Dr. Karis Campion, a vibrant young academic based in London. These two focuses, art and activism, keep the awareness and focus in balance, sort of how yin is to yang in the young creative economic emerging concentrations.