Editors Diary

TRUE STORY:

An Artist sold a painting to a client –  that client who is a Complexd reader told us about the Artists painting of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were used for cancer research – I got in touch with the artist and found out that he had lost many close relatives to cancer – the artist got in touch with the First Lady of Belize as he was touched by her strength and courage. Here you have a perfect example of degrees of separation and how through two people, two other people in completely different parts of the world living completely different lives connected. After a quick chat with Artist Lawerence Childress I can appreciate that courage is not only an act of the sufferer, but the mourner who has reignited their passion and found the strength to carry on after losing so many loved ones.

What’s your background?

 I’m an African-American who grew up in New York. I was the youngest of seven children and spent most of my childhood in Long Island, Harlem, and Patterson NJ and evenings and Sundays in the Church. When I was five my mother brought me a paint by numbers oil set of the Last Supper and from then on I started painting images from the King James Bible. My mother and father were very hard-working and instilled the values within me that I try to live by today. They taught me that if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. That’s where I get my drive to make a difference in my way.

What inspires you?

I do believe that art is a universal language shared by all people, and is a bridge that connects all of humanity. My inspiration comes from every day life, my imagination; interests; spirituality, my children, family, friends, social issues and my environment.

What is the reality of being an Artist?

 My art does not sustains me 100% so I am also a Realtor, Industrial Designer and Artist. As a full-time artist I would have the freedom to follow my passion and create when I wished. However as it stands, I still practice real estate and take on design jobs such as creating stage designs for theatrical plays, commercial entertainment and space and furniture design. I continually strive to spend as much time as I can in my studio.

How does the cover story in the current issue relate to you?

I’ve lost a few family members to cancer. I lost my father at fifteen, then my grandmother, eldest sister, my brother, and several aunts and uncles.  Whenever I lose someone close to me, I find it very hard to create. I have been through periods where I simply could not find it within myself to create anything for months at a time, especially after the loss of my mother, father, grandmother and siblings. When I look back and try to understand it all, I think its simply comes down to going through a mourning period.  I don’t think that I will ever truly get over the loss of my family members who were near and dear to my heart, I just think that I have simply learned to cope with it and lean on my spirituality to get me through it all.

Tell me a bit more about your piece titled Immortal?

‘Immortal’ was inspired by the story of Henrietta Lacks. I was asked by Holly K. Hurd the owner of ArtBlaque to create a piece in honor of her legacy. Henrietta was an African-American woman whose cancerous tumour was used as a source of cells which was later named the HeLa cell line. Because her miraculous undying cells were perfect for medical and biological research, the hospital that funded the research have undoubtedly made millions as a result of it while members of her immediate family lived in and presumably still live in poverty.  They treated her like a guinea pig without her consent and then profited from the outcome. It is one of many stories that I am aware of that highlights the injustices that has been perpetrated against African-Americans and is absolutely reprehensible.

You recently set up a fund-raising programme called ‘Have a Heart Through the Arts’, tell me a bit more about that?

My goals for ‘Have A Heart Through The Arts’ is for it to be recognized as a charity that is making positive change in communities all over the world dedicated to the general welfare, education, and empowerment of all people. We aim toutilize all facets of art to achieve goals and to create partnerships with non-profit organizations, that fit within our mission statement, and help them raise funds for their organisations. All non-profits rely on contributions from supporters, foundations, philanthropists, and the public to sustain their operations and carry out their missions. ‘Have A Heart Through The Arts’ simply offers an opportunity to raise funds through the arts which in turn achieves the same goal. By creating fundraisers through the sale of artwork, and promoting of plays, dinner plays, concerts, films we are able to give the public with a form of artistic cultural awareness, enlightenment, enrichment, and entertainment while simultaneously raising money for charity.

 To find out more about Artist Lawrence Childress and view is artwork visit http://lchildressart.com/

The University of Belize Baldmiration Campaign was inspired by Kim Barrow’s decision to not disguise her bald head and show the true and honest effects of cancer. Led by Lecturer Dr. Sylvana Udz who thought up a non-verbal way to show solidarity and support for cancer sufferers and survivors, students at the University of Belize shaved their heads bald or dyed streaks of their hair in a brave and bold attempt to raise public awareness about the effects of cancer and importance of getting regular check-ups.

I am extremely moved by the courageous act of Belizean women in support of their First Lady of Belize and Complexd cover woman Kim Barrow. It shows how unified they are as women.  Lecturer Dr. Sylvana Udz speaks about The Baldmiration Campaign on Belizean television.

Images by Will Moreno – see more images from the event here

Join me on the Bridge is the coming together of women and men on bridges around the world. They unite and take a stand for peace and women’s equality on International Woman’s Day. The 2012 campaign saw a successful turnout in over 200 events across all 7 continents – including Antarctica! The very first event was a march through Kabul by 200 incredibly brave Afghan women who took to the streets despite great personal risk, which is a big inspiration to other women around the world.

Watch the overview of the 2012 campaign below

We have had a phenomenal response from this issue and the word that keeps cropping up is ‘inspirational’! I can reveal now that I was editing this issue with anticipation in my bones because deep down I knew it would have a big impact. The stories featured in this issue were carefully selected, some stories were hard to swallow, some gave me goosebumps and when I reviewed the photographs of our beautiful cover woman Kim Simplis Barrow, my eyes watered because I was honoured that Kim was prepared to share something so personal with Complexd and also in awe of her beauty even without her hair. This issue is dedicated to my great grandmother who is 103 years of age (see diary entry here), and it is also dedicated to women worldwide who have found themselves in a very dark place and found the light within. Below is a selection of the amazing comments we have received about this issue.

‘Complexd is stunning! I absolutely love it and it’s so inspiring. I sincerely hope there are such things as magazine awards as you certainly deserve one!’ – SC

‘What a powerful and inspirational read’ – JB

‘This is an Amazing issue and it just keeps getting better and better. There is nothing like Complexd in the industry and I wish you all the success and more. Inner Strength is beauty’ – MO

‘This issue is exactly what I needed. Inspiration on every page. Well done! – GL

‘Amazing…really a true Woman of Strength…proud of my Belizean First Lady…We are all with you on this journey’ – ES 

‘We as women fail to realize our own strength! You give us all Hope!’ – LM

‘Kim Simplis you have manage to change the mentality of many, especially women and gave us the opportunity to truly take a look at ourselves and see our strength, to look at our challenges and obstacles we face in a whole different light and by holding on to what matters most – life. Blessings and guidance always as you continue through your journey’ – DF

‘Vulnerability, strength, courage, and hope shared on a global stage to help others…It’s as simple and as powerful as that’ – RS

Today I came across an interesting documentary about diversity in Advertising. As Complexd prepares to implement advertising in our digital issues we have noticed that the companies and brands that promote diversity and use diverse imagery are few and far between. Television adverting has been quicker to respond because brands that advertise on TV know that viewers sitting on their sofas come from a wide variety of countries, cultures and creeds. This audience is no different to women who buy consumer magazines, but still we see a slower development in representation with fashion/lifestyle brands that advertise in print magazines. It can easily be done and brands at the forefront of this are Levi Curve ID and Estee Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. These fantastic faceless campaigns send strong messages and cannot alienate because they take the focus away from image stereotypes.

‘Pursuit of Passion: Diversity in Advertising aims to inform and inspire tomorrow’s Mad Men and Women about careers in advertising/marketing. Join us in celebrating the industry that thrives upon diverse ideas and perspectives through the faces and stories of TBWAChiatDay, Ogilvy & Mather, Young & Rubicam Brands, McCann Erickson, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Omnicom, Team One, Anomaly, FuturLogic, Latin Works, Translation, Mother, The One Club, MDC Partners, and PepsiCo’

For more info visit passion4advertising.com

TED talks are extremely inspiring. Their goal is to give everyone on-demand access to the world’s most inspiring voices. As we wrap up the woman of strength issue, Eve Ensler – Poet, Writer and Activist and creator of ‘Vagina Monologues’ gave a talk which inspired and motivated me today.

Mention the words smear test to a school girl and she would shriek in dismay at the thought of a cold contraption being inserted into her. I remember professing amongst peers that I was not going to have such a thing done while we all ended in a nod of approval. The myths and misapprehension about the test breed fear and contempt towards  a simple procedure that can prevent fatalities if untreated.

This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, an initiative led by the European Cervical Cancer Association.  Cervical cancer, in 99.7% of cases, is caused by persistent infection with a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). Cervical screening (smear test) is a method of examining cells from the cervix in order to detect abnormalities that might become cancerous in the future. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust (Jo’s Trust) is the only UK charity dedicated to women and their families affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities. Their aim is to offer information, support and friendship to women of all ages, to help them to understand the importance of cervical screening.

In the video below Jenny talks about her experience with Cervical Cancer. She did a charity skydive for Jo’s Trust to raise money and awareness for the illness.

Video via ReallyRichTV.com