{"id":1016,"date":"2023-03-08T00:56:50","date_gmt":"2023-03-08T00:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artisunity.net\/talkart\/?p=1016"},"modified":"2023-03-08T01:05:37","modified_gmt":"2023-03-08T01:05:37","slug":"noa-mohlabane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artisunity.net\/talkart\/noa-mohlabane\/","title":{"rendered":"Noa Mohlabane"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Art Is Unity Interviews Noa Mohlabane
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dewdrop-conversation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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I think of myself as an artist sometimes and to varying degrees.<\/p>\n

When I find that what felt like 20 minutes of working on a project was actually 9 hours. When I look at something I did from the perspective of time \u2013 sometimes years later \u2013 and what I made \u2013 the sight or feel of it makes me swoon.<\/p>\n

And when do you not think of yourself as an artist?<\/em><\/p>\n

When not \u2013 it is the usual monsters of self-doubt, questioning self-worth, need for outside validation of some sort\u2026<\/p>\n

In this US culture where art and artist are not integrated into the activity and career options as readily available, what does it mean to be an artist\/to create art?<\/em><\/p>\n

I have had the chutzpah from an early age to bring my creativity in whether it was asked for or not \u2013 into my school projects as well as work.<\/p>\n

I have had the privilege and good fortune to be able to volunteer or gift my work in various settings where I did not have to depend on financial remuneration for my work. In this way I was freed from the challenge of worrying so much about the judgement, or when actual or perceived financial constraints might have been perceived as lack of appreciation<\/p>\n

I have also had the blessing of having employment where my creativity was totally encouraged and supported<\/p>\n

Did you study Art? <\/em><\/p>\n

Not formally so much but I learned so much by being surrounded by it. From the age of 3 I intently studied the photos in the book \u201cFamily of Man\u201d over and over for hours. Later there were other books.<\/p>\n

My Stepfather (Victor Ries) was an artist (metal sculptor\/gold & silversmith) and so I learned a lot through osmosis \u2013 watching and listening to him. In many ways he encouraged me and in some ways his harsh critiques (whether they were about me or someone else) made me more hesitant to explore. My 10 years elder brother Yair, was a musician and I experienced him engulfed in making music and how it had the ability to transform him. My mother was a writer who spoke her heart through her words but threw most of them in the garbage can. My children are both musicians, although one more practicing than the other.<\/p>\n

For the past 16 years , my wife, also an artist (Demetra Gayle Fountaine) has encouraged me, and taught me so much about beads and beading (a love throughout my life), color work with knitting (a new love); abundance, valuing my work\u2026<\/p>\n

I also took photography classes in various settings like Berkeley City College.<\/p>\n

In what ways was it most useful?<\/em><\/p>\n

Letting myself feel how I was moved by what I saw or touched. Having a chance to see other people\u2019s amazing creativity and being in open conversations. Getting to work side by side with amazing artists.<\/p>\n

Are there things you had to unlearn? <\/em><\/p>\n

Self judgement<\/em> and wondering whether my work was worthy of the financial investment it sometimes required (equipment, materials, time) <\/em><\/p>\n

You mentioned doing film photography and developing and printing, talk about your early learning and work.<\/p>\n

My step father bought me a camera when I was 16 and helped me set up a dark room in our basement bathroom. Having to pay for film development & paper & chemicals taught me a lot about selectively framing photos.\u00a0 I also joined a program through the Parks and Rec Department of San Francisco where I could use their extensive darkroom. I could easily get so absorbed in that process that whole days would slip by. I loved the tone changes that came with subtle modifications in what I did. I loved and continue to love what comes into focus when I work with greyscale vs color.<\/p>\n

Are there Art movements\/styles\/periods, and or artists that you’re drawn to, influenced by?<\/em><\/p>\n

The Family of Man book, House of Bondage by Earnest Cole, The work of Dorothea Lang,\u00a0 Gordon Parks, Peter Magubane, and Andy Goldsworthy are very high on my list.<\/p>\n

Are there Art movements\/styles\/periods, and or artists that you’re responding to\u2014expanding, changing, refuting the narrative?<\/em><\/p>\n

If what you mean by this is – who were the photographers whose work brought forward the connectedness of us all, and the reality that people wanted to turn a blind eye to, but that once seen, powerfully called for change and justice, then all of the above photographers listed before did that (except Andy Goldsworthy, who speaks to me in a different, but equally powerful language)<\/p>\n

Does, how does the situation you’re photographing influence the approach, composition of what you’re creating, capturing?<\/em><\/p>\n

I like to be in and of the moment more than an outside observer. So I may lose a lot of photos because I do not want to disrupt or create an atmosphere where people feel they need to pose or alter their state for \u201cpresentability\u2019s sake\u201d. And I am usually witnessing through my lens from within the gathering of human spirits which allows for hearts and spirits to shine through.<\/p>\n

Is your art actively influenced by thoughts\/emotions\/spirit in the moment of creation<\/em>; If so how?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes! It is those moments of authentic experience full of thoughts\/emotions\/spirit\/vulnerability\/- the open heart moments that I am most drawn to witness \u2013 it is how I hope through my photography to have us all feel our connectedness to each other. I celebrate when I see the person\u2019s spirit shine through.<\/p>\n

Does, how does current events\/politics impact your creation? And how would you define your \u201cactivist\/social justice work\u201d and the role it plays in your photographic choices?<\/em><\/p>\n

There are two parts to this \u2013 one is I find myself taking photos of the realness of what it is here in our world – the devastating impact on our spirits and also in nature (I have a whole series of recent photos I am not quite sure what to do with except I knew I had to take them \u2013 whale bones on the beach, a dead owl\u2019s wings and head separated from the body, a cormorant skeleton). Also in this line –\u00a0 people shedding tears with pain that is felt to the core.<\/p>\n

The second part is I love to focus my witnessing on what is possible \u2013 the connection \/ resilience \/ support \/ celebration \/ and again – the connection \u2013 oneness- despite everything that has been done in our world to separate us from each other and the natural world we live in.<\/p>\n

It is also very important to me that the individuals in my photo witnessing feel honored and respected \u2013 so I will delete a photo to stay in integrity with that \u2013 if the person feels uncomfortable with the photo, or if it touches a sore spot that they are not ready for at that time – even if I liked it.<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you have other things going on when creating: music, visuals, meetings, company?<\/em><\/p>\n

Depends on what I am working on. When I originally am photographing people of course I am with the people. The later working with the images \u2013 the creation of a slideshow where the visuals speak their own narrative is a more internal process. Sometimes music, but quiet is welcome as well. I get easily overstimulated, so this is often a more solitary experience without outside stimulation. I do then like to share it and view it with the eyes of others to see what came across in the narrative and whether I want to take that into account as I continue to edit.<\/p>\n

What are, if any, your work habits? <\/em>Do you work at regularly scheduled time?<\/p>\n

Sometimes I procrastinate held back by my inhibitions mostly. I love the liminal time in the wee hours of the morning \u2013 when I wake up at 2 or 3 or 4 and all is quiet and there are no distractions.<\/p>\n

Is creation planned, detailed, spontaneous, improvisational, reactive, proactive\u2026?<\/em><\/p>\n

Not sure \u2013 maybe all of them<\/p>\n

Do you have any particular physical differences\/problems that affect your art\u2014like vision, hearing, nerve conditions, allergies, mental health, etc?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes\u2014I have a tremor that has impacted my photography. I used to love the quality of photos I got from using my camera. However I found, as my tremor increased over the years, that the image stabilization in my camera was insufficient and that my iPhone has better image stabilization. So now I use my phone pretty exclusively. The other advantage is that it is always with me, can be even less obtrusive than working with a fairly large camera or tripod, and images can be easily shared.<\/p>\n

Is there an artist(s) – photographer or art work(s) that have made a lasting impression on you?<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes \u2013 the photographers I mentioned before\u2014 The Family of Man book, Earnest Cole, Dorothea Lang,\u00a0 Gordon Parks, Peter Magubane, and Andy Goldsworthy, amongst others.<\/p>\n

Has it influenced your thinking about art or the art you make?<\/em><\/p>\n

I am sure it has had an influence!<\/p>\n

A photographs may or may not fall into the category of \u201cart\u201d and that may or may not matter. Has the ubiquitous flow of photographic images effected your thoughts, attitudes, approach to picture taking? <\/em><\/p>\n

There are so many images all around now with each of us being able to take photos at no cost once we have purchased our phones. Surprisingly that has had little impact on how I feel about photographs except that I get the pleasure of seeing amazing images taken by many people.<\/p>\n

The one thing I notice I have a negative reaction to is the plethora of posed and \u201cselfie\u201d images projecting the image that is proper for social media consumption.<\/em><\/p>\n

Does money, income play a role in your creation of art?<\/em><\/p>\n

As I mentioned before \u2013 I have been fortunate to not have that have to be a primary factor. I find myself more drawn to giving as gift than selling it. This can often be a challenge when trying to build our Cocreation Arts business.<\/p>\n

Do you apply for grants, fellowships etc.?<\/em><\/p>\n

I have occasionally.<\/p>\n

What is the process like for you?<\/em><\/p>\n

Pretty torturous. Haven\u2019t gotten any for my work specifically. A few where some of my work was part of a bigger project.<\/p>\n

Do you apply for gallery shows and other exhibits?<\/em><\/p>\n

Some. More fun.<\/p>\n

Do you give artist talks. <\/em><\/p>\n

No.<\/p>\n

What work, important interest occupy you in addition to art?<\/em><\/p>\n

Building Community.<\/p>\n

Thanks to Noa for building community with Art Is Unity. See Noa\u2019s work here<\/a> and in ArtIsUnity Gallery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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