Discover the vibrant narratives of the African diaspora at our artist talk for the groundbreaking exhibition “Walk On By.” Join the artists of Walk On By as we dig into the details of their artist practice, how the project started, and reflections of the cultural exchange. We will be joined by all participating artists and Christopher Chester who is the principal graphic designer for Walk On By. The program is moderated by Joy Davis, curator of Walk On By. Let’s come together to foster a deeper connection through art, culture, and conversation. We can’t wait to see you there!
Artist Bios
Tarona (Rotterdam)
Tarona is an artist and director based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. She has dedicated her career to exploring the complexities of identity and in creating a space for the Black diaspora to cultivate a new way of knowing and being. Tarona’s images capture the craftsmanship of Caribbean and Latin-American carnival costumes, which brings to light an entire community that is very much present but often relegated to the background; they are hiding in plain sight. The carnival’s appearance can be deceiving, as it contains hidden ideas, philosophies, and symbols that speak to the collective identity and history of Caribbean and Latin-American communities, especially in Eurocentric environments with a colonial past.
Naomi King (Rotterdam)
Naomi King stands out for her ability to translate her inspiration from fantasy and rich colors into captivating mural works. What sets her apart is her strong community focus, actively involving the community in her mural projects and initiatives in the Netherlands and Curacao. Her experience as a DJ and muralist for over ten years has made her a valuable contributor to the arts community in the Netherlands. Her influences range from art nouveau to ’80s cartoons and mix in a remarkably dynamic style full of splashing color. Naomi is an all-round illustrator, making both animations and street art pieces.
Djon Seedorf (Rotterdam)
Djon Seedorf is a visual artist, fashion designer and art teacher with a long career in education. Djon is the son of a Surinamese father and a Javanese mother. His parents met in the former Dutch East Indies, where Seedorf’s father served in the Dutch East Indies Army. “I want to show in a connecting, adventurous way what I have experienced from my own historical perspective in Suriname, Indonesia and the Netherlands. And with this multicultural treasure I hope to create works of art in my own visual language.” Djon currently guides and inspires young students on their own path towards art.
Schaun Champion (Baltimore)
Schaun Champion is an artist-photographer, director of photography and instructor specializing in natural light, portraiture, fine art and cultural documentary/archival work. Using both digital and analog cameras, she creates intentionally cinematic and honest imagery. Inspired by classic films, music and all things vintage; her intention is to use themes of nature, diversity and nostalgia to illustrate the drama within the familiar.
Charles Mason III (Baltimore)
Charles Mason III is an abstract painter who asks how blackness can be experienced abstractly through installation and materials. Mason leverages symbolic content—such as the color black, hidden text, and repeated pictorial motifs like flowers and bricks—to create interpretive aesthetic spaces that address grief, mourning, and morbidity. While creating his work, internally he may be responding to specific contemporary events and narratives that relate to his experience moving through the world as a Black person. Meanwhile, his choice to deploy abstraction as an aesthetic strategy creates a space of freedom from such narratives, both for himself as an artist and for the viewers.
kolpeace (Baltimore)
Artist Christopher “kolpeace” Johnson explores his black southern culture & ancestral characters through liberating portraits while rapidly creating & specializing in contemporary art, public art, community art, and performance art. His work is intended to instigate the narrative of taking the art off the gallery walls and to the people by engagement mixing graffiti techniques with contemporary art tools. “kolpeace” (which stands for Kids Only Love Peace) presents a black identified folktale that paints from his influential past/present/future, in hopes to create moments of betterment towards humanity. He uses childhood genres of his black cultural folk life (such as trill, trap, and soul music) to encourage and liberate cultural prejudice.