moon head

playin' around with PowerPoint (as you can probs tell)

Jumpsuit - designed & constructed by me

Photography - Sarah Globe

Collage edit by me

(all picture art from Tumblr.com) 

nostalgic views

Last week my sister Zoe and I did a shoot with the amazing Taja as part of her photography project "Sister Sister". check it out on her tumblr! The photos and the dialogue are so beaut. They were taken with a 35mm so the photos have a really rough, kind of nostalgic tint to them. They remind me of when i used to go to the park and after staying on the swings for so long my hands would smell of metal chains, n cold n grass. good times.  She also included a little q&a with us about self-acceptance, self-love and where we see ourselves within all that.

Taja is such a cool gal as well as talented photographer/designer. to see her gorg face lowkey follow her on instagram @tajalewisb:

photographer - Taja 

"Self-love and acceptance has become somewhat of a trend, a positive thing, and everyone promotes it as something easy and accessible and simple. To me it’s far from that".

C xx

hi my names cleo and i'm about to tell you a really serious story.

As I am made to see the world through clearly opaque windows, I try my hardest to use my ears and not my eyes.

A white, subtle glow.

Isn’t it weird how we talk about the “outside” as if it is beyond us? We are the outside, we are products of the outside.

When I let my thoughts wander, the glass appears kinda distorted. Like the whiteness behind it is fading. Becoming less of a pure and timeless void.

An ominous yellow glow vibrating between the surface of my pupils.

If I close one eye, the window is in the centre. If I close both eyes, the window is no longer there. If I close the other eye, the one which was open at first, there is a change. A tiny tiny shift to the right.

Lean your head to the right, a slow...very soporfic act… does the world tilt with you?

It remains upright. Like our perception isn’t about what we see it is about what we choose to see. Oh, I don’t know really. I wonder whether the “outside” is just a space devoid of truth and life.

The thought of what’s beyond, it frays the outskirts of my iris.

It clouds the surface of my pupils.

It restricts the movements that I make.

Every time I think about how insignificant we are - in the scheme of things - I’m forced to wonder how significantly insignificant it is to actually acknowledge this. I can’t change the way we are. The outside that I deem so vast and so sparklingly wondrous is becoming so suffocating, so black and blue. Dull dull dull.

 

The concept of seeing and feeling, with which we are made to believe exists, exists not; it is merely a formula created so that we don’t see and feel too much. Oh, I don’t know. 

Sometimes the window becomes less obtuse. And more transparent for that matter. 

Sometimes the things we try so hard to believe don’t exist...actually do.

Sometimes I think my thoughts can indent the glass and reshape the whole world I know.

I peer over at the glass, a now ill-coloured red reaching the tips of my lashes.

I tell myself no matter how busy I am, I must make time for reading. Or else “I surrender myself to self-chosen ignorance” - as that guy Confucius said. He didn’t sound that confused to me.

Nous devons être fiers de notre place à l'extérieur, il est petit, et pourtant, il est. Mais nous devons questionner notre place à l'extérieur, il est, il est, il est, mais pourquoi?

As I make my way towards glass, beyond I sense it is darker, more distinct. Red ablaze.

the title comes from this game I played at the Barbican y/day, where we had to walk into the room, say this line and then start reading out our story. everyone else had to try to make me laugh/distract me so I'd have to start from the beginning. let's just say i walked in and out of that room at least 20 times. sUch visuAl art!

Also this story is just how i feel about the world.

orange hues

I do enjoy making collages. enjoy this 1

Outfit Of The Day

songs y'all better remember:

~ Me and Your Mama - Childish Gambino

~ Grown Woman - Xavier Omär

~ BRUJAS - PRINCESS NOKIA (the music video is also amazing)

~ Brazilian Rhyme - Earth, Wind and Fire

~ PERFECT - Tyler, The Creator ft. Kali Uchis 

Hello! it's been a while. how are you doing? This whole term has been crazily crazily busy but also so much fun! Recently got back from Edinburgh where my theatre company performed at this years Chrysalis festival. it was amaaaazing, cold, but nevertheless fun. shout out to all the talented, beautiful and kind artists I met over the weekend at the Traverse theatre. 

OOTD: 

Khaki Bomber Jacket - Armstrong Vintage store

Turtle Neck - New Look

Satin scarf thing - East End Thrift Store 

Jeans - Rokit 

This outfit just came together randomly this morning. My head scarf had barely made it off my head before I realised that it actually didn't look that bad with my colour scheme. I kinda liked how it functioned into a hair band and scarf at the same time lol. My khaki bomber jacket was bought when I was up in Edinburgh! what's a trip without a vintage shopping motive? I'm really feeling khaki and brown nude colours at the moment. 

I've been doing a shit lot at the Barbican with Visual Art, which has been such an inspiration so far. And I've met some really cool people! We went to see The Gulch by Bedwyr Williams which... you know what I can't really describe it. An exhibition (putting it lightly) in which his work just absorbed you into this strange strange world of sound, film (?) and art installations. Check it out at the Barbican before i put you off even more. Next we're going to be working on some writing and short stories. How can we/will we link this to visual art? Don't know but can't wait to share the outcome with you!

photography creds - sis Zoe

After the gal-dem takeover night at the V&A i've been trying to do more creative things, following the wise words from Lotte Anderson "make more, show more, care less". honestly that night was so inspiring and beautiful, v pumped for the next one!!
"CARE LESS" being something i've been trying to do a lot this year. Not insensitivity, but more like be chill and happy with what I'm doing, not letting anyone else's opinions of myself influence or be barrier to my creativity. ALSO CAN I JUST SAY WHAT THE FUCK IS LIFE WHAT KIND OF WORLD ARE WE LIVING IN WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS REAL WHAT ISN'T what what what fuck shit WHAT

Also,  I subscribed to WGSN/INSIDER which was a great decision. do it. ALSOSOOS, the Design Museum ??? opened today??? 24th??? I'm so going????? There is this exhibition on called  'Fear and Love: Reactions to a complex world' it is on until April 2017. Check it out, it sounds really awesome, and sort of sums up my own reactions to this crazy world. Can't wait to see it!! if you're going, may see you there xx

perhaps another year is passing

All pictures taken from Tumblr.com

collage I made just because

7/11/16

peace out xx

photography collab

On Tuesday, the F.A.D Fashion Futures finalists teamed up with Speos (Speos Photography Institute) for a photoshoot of our garments! It was sooo much fun. The Speos photography students were absolutely fantastic and the hair stylists and the make up artists were bloody amazing. all together they made the day so stylish, fun, and produced some amazing photos.

visual reference/mood board i created for tone/vibe of shoot

I sneaked a few pictures on my phone too haha, can't wait to share the finalised photos with you guys!
It was so weird/amazing to see my jumpsuit actually being worn for a photoshoot. I'm still used to just making stuff for textiles then "forgetting" it at the back of my wardrobe. But I've sort of learnt to appreciate what I create. it's important to treasure and be proud of  art all the time because seriously, that creating shit is hard. I'd also never been to a photography studio before this which was really cool! big big love F.A.D & Speos

My jumpsuit, modelled by Kat

The studio!!

thnx 4 reading, see you soon! xox

phenomena: a beginner's guide to love and physics

(All pictures taken from Tumblr.com)

hey lovelies

I'm gonna do a lil' bit of advertising here 1 sec.
You might want to click on this link here which will direct you to SOUNDS LiKE CHAOS's crowdfunder page for our upcoming tour!!!! I'm part of SLC, a free theatre company of 20 teens from London who specialise in making a mess on stage and leaving behind a trail of chaos. We've been selected as one of four companies across UK and Europe to perform at this years Chrysalis festival in Edinburgh!!! The Chrysalis festival showcases emerging talents and acts as a platform for young performers to establish a presence in theatre. #ChrysalisFest

The show we're touring, 'Phenomena', is our own exploration of Love through physics. We follow the laws of science and our own experiences to find out what love actually is. (if you need to brush up on your science and romantic knowledge i would highly recommend this show.) Check out our website here.

I joined SOUNDS LiKE CHAOS a couple of years ago and it has blossomed into something much bigger than just a lil' youth theatre group that meets weekly to perform shows for our friends and family. It's a creative space where your thoughts, opinions, experiences and ideas that you want to share matter. We ignore the negative stigmas attached to "youth theatre" and explore subjects that go beyond people's expectations of what young people have or want to say. Since being in SLC, I have learned more about myself, and my willingness to share and practice creative work. Being around a range of different people from various backgrounds, of different ages and different genders etc. is what makes our creative process so interesting and valuable.

Doing theatre isn't just about standing on stage reciting a monologue from Shakespeare or running around in wigs and cloaks (not promising anything). No, theatre is about what goes on behind the stage. about the bits before we even get to the stage.

the buzz. the ambiance.                                                                                                                          

I have to say, nothing feels quite as thrilling as being back stage, waiting for the lights to dim and hearing the audience come to a hush. before SLC I never really thought about 'acting' or what it really took as a performer. It has shown me that theatre really isn't as clean cut as just 'acting', it's more like performing. just...performing. And in that way it is one of the most flexible, undefinable arts to me.

So watch this space as we casually spread some chaos over the city. Next stop Edinburgh!!! 

Cleo xx

kinky hair blues

Last week I went to help out F.A.D at their stall for their new project 'Thirteen Black Icons'. We were placed at Alexandra Palace - as part of the Knitting and Stitching Show. ahh it was so amazing!!

Even the stall itself was beaut, lined and decorated with all the mesmerising photography and Kanga cloths. So, 13 Black Icons is a F.A.D initiative and magazine celebrating the inspirational stories of thirteen black icons of the British Jazz Age in the 1920s and 1930s.

(read the magazine online here)

I just had to do a blog post about this because it studied something close to my heart: jazz.

Reading the magazine and learning about these stories was so enlightening. The artists were specifically chosen because their stories are not known by many, certainly not by those of this generation (I hardly knew any of the icons sadly). Their activism and talents and ideas need to be known because Black British people had a presence in Britain PRE Windrush in 1948. And it can be seen and felt within this period and always will be.

============= 2 faves: =============

Reginald Foresythe 1907-1958
Musician & Composer

was an incredible talent and eccentric. He grew up in Shepherd's Bush with a Sierra Leonean father and British mother. Reginald began playing the piano at aged 8 and spent his spare time composing bold new jazz pieces. Reginald assembled a band to record his compositions and many of the jazz greats of the era played his pieces.

Although he never achieved fame, he left a huge back catalogue of music and was influential in creating the syncopated sound of the 20s and 30s. 'Bit' is one of my favourites of his.

Una Marson 1905-1956
Poet, Playwright, Broadcaster & Activist

Una was born in rural Jamaica. She rose to be Jamaica's first female editor and publisher of her own magazine. She also wrote poems and plays that focused on politics and advocated feminism. Una moved to London in 1932 to find a wider audience for her work and by the end of the 1930s, had been noticed by the BBC and became their first black radio producer. She continued pursuing writing and activism in London and Jamaica until her death.

'Cinema Eyes' 1937 and 'Kinky Hair Blues' 1937 (poetry) are my absolute favourites. really really powerful words.

In 'Cinema Eyes' the narrator tries protect her daughter from obtaining a "cinema mind" under the influence of white supremacy which "saw no beauty in black faces". 'Kinky Hair Blues' reveals black hair politics and the way in which black women wanted to alter their appearance.

snippet from 'Cinema Eyes'

"I saw no beauty in black faces.

The tender light and beauty 

Of their eyes I did not see;

The mellow music of their voice,

The stateliness of their walk.

The tenderness of their hearts

No, they were black

And therefore had no virtue". 

snippet from 'Kinky Hair Blues'

"I hate dat iron hair

And dat bleaching skin

Hate dat iron hair

And dat bleaching skin

But I'll be alone

If I don't fall in"

read the full poems here

thanks for reading guys, c u next time xx

I wake up in a haze // visual dump

greetings loved ones & welcome October. October is one of my favourite months by the way - just to gear you up for that. Also, it's the actual beginning of autumn!! so here's an autumn play list and mood board for you too...

mood-board and play list created & edited by me, all photos taken from Tumblr.com

<<   sending out good vibes   >>  and I hope this month is good to y'all! On Friday I went to help out F.A.D with their project called '13 Black Icons' at Alexandra Palace. it was so much fun!!! In short, the project celebrated thirteen black icons of the British Jazz Age + lots more. can't wait to share it with you guys so stay tuned! 

also, I'll be uploading some photography of my own later! just experimenting, and soon, hopefully there will be more and more photo projects. <33 see you later!!!

                                                                                                                               

dreamy ends

hey guys! how are you all?

I feel like I should have done this post on Monday eve buuut, the Fashion Futures comp is over!!! Which is actually quite sad, but it ended in style - at the Freemason's Hall for London Fashion Scout, as part of London Fashion Week. Seriously though, it was such a beautiful night, filled with so many inspiring & creative people. I also won the Textiles Award! Still waiting for that to sink in haha! big luv FAD

My garment on the catwalk

I talk about seasons a lot, and the beginnings & ends of months. (sorry in advance). But wow has this month whooshed by. Feeling closer to nature, and myself in general, has been a big part of this month. And just chillin; mentally, physically, on my own, with new people. Feeling/being "formless, shapeless, like water" - in the best way possible. That quote is taken from Bruce Lee, which I heard in this chill, hip hop remix by Caleb Belkin.

be formless, shapeless, be water my friend.

I also visited the Georgia O'Keeffe exhibition at the Tate this week. and you know what? I was pleasantly, pleasantly surprised. At first I was a bit ambivalent as to whether I wanted to spend a whole day gazing over framed flowers. but the exhibition completely knocked that out of my head. and I mean completely. The exhibition featured her magnified flower paintings (which were incredibly dreamy and sensual), her New Mexico desert landscapes, animal skulls and seascapes - including Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 1932 (the most expensive painting by a female artist ever sold at auction). I was also just taken aback by her use of tones, colour, senses and composition. Honestly, I didn't actually realise how much of an iconic artist she was and what an influence she had had on Modernism, particularly in the United States. I feel enlightened now haha. The exhibition even included Alfred Stieglitz's (O'Keeffe's husband) iconic photography of O'keeffe. They not only inspired me for my textiles work, but also for exploring my own photography. Deffo try and get yourself to this exhibition, it stops showing it at the Tate at the end of October!

Work by O'keeffe:

"I made you take time  to look at what I saw  and when you took time to really notice my flower , you hung all your associations with flowers  on my flower and you write about my flower as if I think and see what you think and see - and I don't". Georgia O'keeffe

quick Outfit Of The Day (OOTD) :

Puffer jacket: East End Thrift Store

Cherry crop top: H&M

Black jumpsuit: New Look

Buffalo platforms: eBay

so that's me. I hope to post v soon about other random stuff n creative things I'm getting up to so stick around ma

Cleo xx