Black Pound Day: 5 creatives reflect on lockdown
BY SOLAMIPE ONIFADE
The Black Lives Matter movement brings us all together to help fight racial injustice and inequality across the world. One way to get involved to support the black community is through Black Pound Day, a monthly initiative to promote and encourage black-owned businesses in the UK.
For this Black Pound Day, we have chosen 5 Creatives who motivate us with their unique style and distinct commitments to our values of diversity, inclusivity and creativity. They have shared their sources of inspiration with FUZE and given personal accounts on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their work and creative process.
KARIS BEAUMONT
Karis is a Jamaican-British photographic artist. Using digital photography, art direction and styling, the Hertfordshire native produces emotive imagery of themes centred around the global African diaspora.
‘The lockdown has made me even more intentional with the work I create than ever before. My time during lockdown was used to reflect and realign. I realised I had a lot to express, so now that the rules have eased I'm a lot more focused on the execution of projects with an industry of trusted people I've met over the years. Whereas before I'd have an idea but would allow self-doubt to stop me from creating or even reaching out to people for collaborations.
A range of things influence my work; from my Jamaican heritage, West + Central African culture, family photo albums, to my music-colour synesthesia, and relationship with God. Music moves me on a day-to-day basis, and I tend to research the origins and culture around the different genres of music I listen to also. I can't fully articulate how my perception of music and cultures intertwines with my creativity, but they're the main things that keep my passion for creating alive.
When I'm in a creative rut, I either watch indie movies and short films, read a lot of books or go with the flow of life. My artistic growth changes as I go through the different experiences or challenges I face in life, so I remind myself that it's okay to take a breather from creating and just live my life’. - Karis Beaumont
GREG BUNBURY
https://bunbury.co/
Greg is a British-born, award-winning Graphic Designer and Creative Consultant of Caribbean heritage with a social focus. He has produced impactful work for brands and businesses including Sony Music, Ministry of Sound, Universal Music, Samsung, and many more. He is forever curious and passionate about what drives culture – the big ideas that bring us together.
He also curates the Black Outdoor Art project, an initiative in partnership with a media agency, that utilises unused billboard space as a platform for other Black British designers.
‘While the effects of lockdown and the wider pandemic have been devastating to communities, families and individuals, it has also provided a rare opportunity to pause and reflect. For me this was a chance for introspection and evaluation. To really think about the value of my work, and how I could better serve society as a creative - especially in such a tumultuous time. This resulted in my renewed personal mission, to design thinking for purpose-based organisations.
I’m inspired by the work of Emory Douglas and Archie Boston, two Black American graphic designers who weaved political and social commentary throughout their work. Then there’s famed designer Milton Glazer, who’s vivid iconic work of the 70s inspired me to design as a kid. And then Neville Brody and Paula Scher, who’s work electrified me in the 90s, and continues to inspire me today.
The best advice I ever read for being stuck in a creative rut, was to take a walk. This is something I do frequently and purposefully (it helps to have a dog). If there’s a creative problem I can’t quite crack, I’ll put it all on the wall, take it in, and then just walk out the door for a few hours. It functions as a kind of meditation, and just by giving myself some mental space I often find the solution will suddenly appear… Most of the time…’ - Greg Bunbury
KAY DAVIS
Kay is an independent multidisciplinary British Jamaican artist and designer born and raised in Deptford, South East London.
Her skills range from painting, illustration, printmaking, knitwear, customisations and workshop facilitation. With clients such as Black Girl Fest, Dr. Martens, Tate Modern and TOPSHOP to name a few.
Creating art that reflects and empowers Black community, Kay’s colourful and playful designs shine a light on the importance of representation and Black joy. Celebrating youth and heritage of the African and Caribbean Diaspora, her craft often plays with themes that tell stories of childhood, identity, belonging and adornment.
‘The pandemic has given me the time to be consistent as an artist. I’ve had opportunity to wrap up loose ends on projects I’ve often had to pause’. - Kay Davis
‘Black joy, community, childhood memories and a love for colour and adornment’ inspire her work.
SIGNED BY DAYTEA
SignedbyDaytea is a creative brand by Déti, who is an artist and illustrator. She grew up in Nigeria but is currently based in the UK and so her art, after evolving over years, is very much African inspired but depicting Western influence.
‘Lockdown and COVID forced me back into a new creative; particularly coming up with something relatable to the situation around us which is why I started my Quarantoons series; drawings based on Cartoons in lockdown. Also had more free time to put some work in and everyone’s been active on social media so there’s been a decent audience. So it’s actually been sort of positive in a way.
At the moment I’m inspired by all sorts. It’s a crazy mix of fashion, animation, meme humour, but primarily African and Black culture which is the biggest one for me. It’s coming up with an idea and then making it relatable and applicable to me and people who look like me.
I could just go through my favourite fashion icon’s Instagram page and get inspiration from that. From social media, and of course other artists and illustrators inspire me as well so I’d see something amazing and think “I’d really love to do that! But how do I make it mine”. -Déti
RACHAEL ADEWUNMI
issuu.com/rae.jpeg/docs/terrafirma
Rachael Adewunmi is a university student studying in London and creator of TerraFirma. TerraFirma' is a 'Wonderland Magazine' supplement targeting the black community. TerraFirma meaning 'firm land' in Latin is giving black women a firm place to showcase their creativity and be credited for their work.
‘At first, my creative process was all over the place, I was very doubtful of my abilities and whether I would be able to work the same due to the stress and anxiety of global current affairs as well as the virus. I had to take a lot of time for myself to reignite my creativity.
My work is inspired by all things fashion, mostly black women and what it’s like to grow up as a black woman in London. A lot of my creative influences are from instagram, VINTAGEDOLLRISA, mowalola and Campbell Addy are all people that influence my creativity to name a few. Also Naomi Campbell had a massive influence on my “TerraFirma” zine and article around black women in fashion.
I look for inspiration in the world, I go for walks and read into independent fashion brands and/or independent creatives in the industry to give me that push and to reassure me that I’m doing okay. I think about my end goal as well. Everyone is on their own path in life and everything takes time. As long as I have a clear vision of where I want to be and I constantly work towards it, there’s nothing else stopping me from achieving it. I also believe “creative ruts'' are a time to re-evaluate. They are like time periods of taking a step back from yourself. They are not always appreciated but very much needed to come back better and with stronger ideas!’. -Rachael Adewunmi
This year’s FUZE is in aid of two charities: ArtRefuge and Black South West Network.
