The West Harlem Art Fund (WHAF) is returning to Governors Island in 2019 with two exhibitions that will spotlight human migration across Asia and then west from Africa to the Americas beginning June 1st.
The organization is working with the Eli Klein Gallery based in the West Village, the Aicon Contemporary Art Gallery based in the East Village/SoHo area and the Catinca Tabacaru Gallery in the Lower East Side to realize these exhibitions for the public in Nolan Park. And in addition to visual art, WHAF will present a tasting kitchen to compliment the shows and a dance fellow, Kiran Rajagopolan to present live performances.
A Japanese native, New York-based artist Tomo Mori will create the installation for the tasting kitchen and adjoining dining room. This will be her 6th mural project after her MTA Art & Design (2018), Columbia University Miller Theater (2016), Laundromat Project, WIX Lounge and East Harlem Café (2013).
Trace of Our Journey
This mural is a composition of millions of life moments, presented as mosaic pieces made from vintage and discarded fabrics from all over the world. The square shapes harken back to filmstrips or digital pixels recording memories of human history. The portraits placed are my daughter and her great grandmothers (from Japan and St. Croix). The 360-degree waterfall-like image represents the chronology and the beauty of multiculturalism.
Main background color: Behr Antigua M460-7 Matte/Flat or Eggshell
Some blue, purple and lighter aqua green color will be added with sponge to make some gradation and spotlight illusion.
On the lineup in the tasting room is Serengeti Teas & Spices based in East Harlem. The tea bar will provide small plates dishes blended with savory teas as educational opportunities at our venue.
And this new location will be given a catchy brand — NP/10 for Nolan Park, Building 10. Creative designer Kiamesha Smalls created the new logo. Smalls is a Brooklyn New York native whom who is an alumnus of the Fashion Institute of Technology. Kiamesha has worked under several NYC fashion brands and nonprofit community organizations specializing in youth development. She is the TV producer for “Brooklyn Soul Clap” which airs on BRIC “Free Speech” television channel.
WEST HARLEM ART FUND 