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Vonley W. Smith On Working With Puma x Fenty

K.F. Cumberbatch
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Vonley W. Smith On Working With Puma x Fenty

Screenshot of Vonley W/ Smith's part of the Puma x Fenty 2023 video.Of course I have to ask: how did the opportunity to be a part of the making of this video come to you? What was your reaction to being approached for this project?

The opportunity came about when I was reached out to by Hometeam.

Hometeam is an in demand, global network of the best filmmakers from around the world who tell larger-scale, more culturally rich stories. When I first got the email I was shocked and a bit doubtful as to why me, but when I reflected more on it [I realised that] I have been creating a lot of unconventional films recently (1%; [a] one [minute] film, Murphy’s Law; [a short film]) which [have] been making waves both internationally and regionally and [I’ve] just been working really hard within the filmmaking space.

But once I got over that I welcomed the challenge and was excited to perform on the world stage.

Did Puma x Fenty specifically want to work with a Bajan for the Barbados-based portion of the video?

I would like to believe this was their intention, as it was part of the concept Puma x Fenty in collaboration with Hello Superheroes and That’s Jimmy and Hometeam; to let their global filmmakers create locally in their homes. Because the idea is that local creatives can capture their homes better than if you fly in [a] crew from overseas who [have] never been to the area, but go out there and film.

Shoutouts to the entire team who made me a part of this moment. It was real vibes.

Once I heard the concept and added my two cents, I knew this was going to be epic.

What was the actual process of shooting like? How quickly did you have to put together your part?

The shoot [took] one day and a half due to the weather and constant tourists coming to visit Rihanna’s home. Traffic on the road was insane. Every second or five minutes there were people in and out on this small street taking pics of her home and it just so [happened that] out of all the days, on this particular day, the rain kept falling in and out.

So what would usually take me thirty minutes to shoot took an hour. And then that led to four hours [and] to a crazy over seven hours of shooting and waiting. So instead of just relaxing I  often practiced my camera movement in the rain, spent time calibrating the light and working out my camera angles, and stayed in communication with the team around the world so I [could] deliver the best possible results. All in all it took one day and a half [and] over 115 shots for just six to fifteen seconds [of what I shot making it into the final video].

“Once I heard the concept and added my two cents, I knew this was going to be epic.”

Did you work on any other part of the campaign?

Let’s just say there are other things in the works. Crossing my fingers. Hopefully this campaign does well so more opportunities, not only for myself, can come, but for others on [the] island as well.

How does it feel now that it’s out and how has it been received?

Honestly it feels great. When it dropped it was like an adrenaline rush because of the unexpected nature of the shoot. I’m sure a lot of people were shocked or stunned and it created a “wow” effect in most people’s minds.

I saw it pretty much [at] the same time as the world, so I got to feel the same feeling everyone had at the same time. Which was awesome. Especially everyone back in Barbados; it hit different seeing one of your own share a vision on the world stage. Everyone reaching out expressing themselves was [a] really cool thing to hear, see, and experience. That’s the power of filmmaking and art. I love it.

Do you feel like you’ve, sort of, “made it” to any degree or like this is a step (small or huge) toward where you want to be as a filmmaker?

Definitely is a small step towards building my creative career, but I don’t think about things like making it or being on top. I just focus solely on the process. It’s the process that makes it fun and gives it a challenge for me. Now the process is gone and it’s out, I’m over it already and ready to create something else –  which I’m working on; my first feature film due in 2024. That’s my main goal right now.

How does it feel to represent Barbados in this way, on the world stage?

It feels great man. I hope I made all my fellow Bajans and Caribbean people proud. We are all one so when one of us wins, we all win. Especially on the world’s stage.

You recently didn’t a screening and lecture at your alma mater, the EBCCI. How was that experience and what was it like being on the other side?

It was really an honor to go back to where it started for me. To give back in this way really humbled me and fueled me to keep going on the creative path. It hasn’t been easy. In fact, it’s been the highest of highs and lowest of lows, but to inspire the other students and creatives who were there in the same place I was, it was [an] honor for me.

Fast Five Featuring Ark Ramsay

K.F. Cumberbatch
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Fast Five Featuring Ark Ramsay
Fast Five Ark Ramsay
Photo provided by Ark Ramsay. Photography by Krystal Leslie.

Ark Ramsay is a fiction writer. They received a Master of Philosophy degree from Fudan University in Shanghai – and were a recipient of the 2017/2018 Chinese Government Scholarship – as well as a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Arts at Ohio State University. In 2019, they completed a residency at Fresh Milk Barbados.

Ramsay’s writing has been published in Small Axe (50), A-Line, Gertrude Press, and The Rumpus. Their work, “In Memoriam — My Drowning Island” was used as the lyrics in Ada M. Patterson’s video, A Ship of Fools.

They won the Irving Burgie Award in Literature in 2012 and first prize in the fiction category of the Small Axe Emerging Writers Contest in 2015. In 2016 they received an honourable mention at the Frank Collymore Hall Literary Endowment Awards. They were a finalist for the Story Foundation Prize in 2020 and were shortlisted for the 2022 Bocas Emerging Writers Fellowship.

Ramsay is also a game designer. They co-founded Couple Six, Inc. – a Barbadian indie videogame company – in 2015. Two years later, Couple Six was selected for Demand Solutions Miami 2017 and participated in its pitch competition. The company is currently developing the game Le Loupgarou.

Who are your influences and what have you learned from them?

I draw inspiration from a number of writers who have helped me hone craft, but my truest projects are alive because of the Trinidadian poet Shivanee Ramlochan and the novelist Shani Mootoo. It is from them, and other queer Caribbean artists, that I learned how to remove another layer of clothing. Tell the stories which are risky, and therefore true.

What is the first work of yours that you released to the public? How was it received?

I placed in a competition held by Small Axe, a literary journal out of Duke University. So, they published my short story called ‘Semicolonized Mind’. I won some cash for it. I got to see my writing in print. I celebrated with friends. But overall, my first publication taught me that the journey of writing could not fixate on any end-point. It would be a long time before another journal picked up my writing, and I survived that desert only by returning to the work itself.

Which of your works are you the most proud of and why?

I’m proudest of two things. The first is a piece of flash fiction published by Gertrude Press, called Talking Bodies. Its a bizarre experiment, imagining body parts as being up for barter. The other is an essay, published by Meridian out of the University of Virginia, called ‘My Warming Body’. Which started life as a love letter, but grew into a meditation on being trans in Barbados, hurricanes, sea turtles, and finding a balm for climate grief. Both of these pieces are me at my bravest. Where I was willing to sit in an uncomfortable lack of answers.

How do you know when something is finished and doesn’t need anymore work?

I don’t. I have been tinkering with one particular short story for about ten years now. It has gone through dozens of revisions. Been Rejected. Thrown out. Salvaged, once again, from the digital rubbish bin. I think ‘finished’ work is just work that someone has taken from you and put out into the world.

Every time I return to something I am a new person, with new writerly concerns, and so the work warps again. Changes on me. I think the important thing to listen to is not when the work is ‘finished’, but when you are no longer able to ask it a question which it cannot immediately solve. That is the moment when it is ready, once again, to be tested in the world.

As an artist from the Caribbean, do you feel like you have an obligation or responsibility to represent and reflect Caribbean culture in your work?

I don’t think of it as an obligation. It is an inevitability. Even if I wrote a space opera set thousands of years from now, something about the Caribbean that I grew up in would find its way into that story. There is no running away from the place of your formation. And why should you?

Fast Five Featuring Don Writa

K.F. Cumberbatch
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Fast Five Featuring Don Writa
Fast Five Don Writa
Illustration provided by Don Writa. Art by O’Bri-Ann Michela Forde.

Don Writa is music producer whose work you’ve no doubt heard before. After all, he’s the man behind the Task Force Riddim and has worked with some of Barbados’ biggest music artistes, like Jah Reddis, Trey Breezy, Marzville, and Mongrel. He’s also the producer behind the Bang Dibby Dibby Riddim, the White Collar Crime Riddim, the Zess 19 Riddim, and the Green Monkey Riddim, just to name a few.

When he’s not producing music for other artistes, he’s making his own. Don Writa has released the singles  “Watch Over Me”, “It’s You”, and “Mek It Out”. He’s also a songwriter; he co-wrote Azura’s “Revelerz” and “Bad Behaviour”.

When/How did you realise that being a music producer is what you wanted to do with your life?

I have always had a love for music. From a very young age I always tried to be creative with music, however, it was only in my final year [and] final semester of undergraduate studies that I realized I wanted to pursue my passion Music Production.

Who are your influences and what have you learned from them?

I’m influenced by every sound, noise or tone I hear. Music producer wise I look up to many, but some of my strongest influences would be Eminem (despite the genres I produce, Timbaland, Anthony lowhar, Southside….too many to name].

I learned a variety of things by paying attention to their styles, choosing tones, paying attention to dynamics, melodies, etc. But the two biggest lessons I learnt from them all is that everyday in production is a learning process and to be your authentic self.

What is the first work of yours that you released to the public? How was it received?

My first public release would be a song called “Shine On Me”, [sung]/rapped by myself and Bkatman (pronounced batman), now known as B-Loco. This was a song about performing on stage [and] facing the lights to eventually become a star.

The song was performed at a local show, Loc Da Stage, and it was received very well, but at this point we were very fresh and had a lot more to learn about taking songs further. But the releases that really broke me into markets in and outside of Barbados would be “Task Force Riddim” (Brutal Crankstar – Badman Nuh Lip); Jah Reddis, “Talk Ya Talk”; and Father Phillis, “Face Beat” (Bim Vibes x 9ine x Don Writa)

What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

If you love music never give up and never be afraid to reinvent yourself many times as a producer, artist, or any other creative.

What other careers did you consider, if any? And why did you ultimately choose not to pursue them?

I wanted to be a forensic psychologist ([I] completed my Bachelor’s in Psychology), a chef, a teacher, and a doctor all at different time periods. I attempted to pursue them all, but I always felt out of place not making music or anything music related.

Fast Five Featuring Alexander Newton

K.F. Cumberbatch
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Fast Five Featuring Alexander Newton

Alexander Newton is a local fashion and editorial photographer who is perhaps best known for the sensuality and drama of his images. Judging by his Instagram page, women are his favourite subject and he’s cited many as his muses.

Newton has photographed Miss Barbados World 2019 Ché Amor Greenidge, Mahalia Cummins, Faith Callnder, Alison Hinds, Adaeze, and Dre Decarlo, among others. He’s worked with local fashion designers and brands Cambria Costume and Design, BNHO Crochet, ByCarlori, La Vern by MR and Kalene Designs, as well as jewellery brands Flawsome and Victoriesque Designs and the Barbados-based beauty brand Tonal Cosmetics.

In 2020, his photographs were featured in the first issue of Gine On?! Magazine’s Freedom Festival Online Lit Mag. The previous years, in 2019, his work was published for the first time in Elegant Magazine.

Fast Five Alexander Newton.
Provided by Alexander Newton. Self-portrait.

When/How did you realise that being a photographer was what you wanted to do with your life?

I realized that image driven stories would be my thing, I think, right around [when] I got my first publication in a fashion magazine in New York  [Elegant Magazine]. Before then, I was taking images that I loved and adding subtle story telling [elements] to them, using my artistic voice to create these technically expertly executed images, and adding a small bit of my expression to them. [I] even was [sic] getting paid for it. But I knew that this is what I’ll be doing [until] my arms can’t hold a camera anymore when I got that publication. It was like the validation I needed.

How do you stay inspired?

I stay inspired by living. I know that sounds pretty vague, but it’s true. I’m fortunate to be able to draw inspiration from almost anything.

Music is a big influence of mine and I’ve created entire editorial spreads from one single lyric line [sic] in a song. [I]f you think about how many songs are out there in the world…you get the idea. I also get inspired from listening to people; feeling them out, hearing their stories.

Sometimes I have a conversation with a woman and she says something that strikes me and I immediately want to use her as a muse. Sometimes I hear women say “I’ve never been photographed”, or, “I just don’t look good in front [of] the camera” and I take it as a challenge to give them an unforgettable experience; show them what they look like through my eyes.

As I walk through the world I take inspiration from everything.

What would you say is the best decision you ever made in your career thus far?

The best decision I’ve made was to network. It was to understand that I can’t do it all on my own and that to grow and create timeless images and mature and expand, it’s a fool’s errand to tackle it alone.

Being open minded, listening to others who are more experienced, and also helping the less experienced, has fundamentally changed not just my photography journey, but my life on a whole.

What do you think makes you unique as an artist and creative?

What makes me unique – that’s got to be your hardest question here. I think this is one of those questions I always leave up to other people to answer, cause [sic] I don’t like to blow my own horn, as they say.

[But] I’d like to think [that] what makes me unique is my inspirations and my visual cues that I leave in my images, my focus on expression, and my excitement on set. [M]y energy truly makes other people comfortable and really allows for the experience of being in front of the camera and vulnerable seem like a party. I also have a tendency to create more minimal/natural looking images. [A]nd I have an affinity [for] sensual images that evoke moods.

Also, to add, I think I have the ability to bring other creatives together for a cause. [I’m] fortunate enough to have people I can call on in times of need [that] trust me to deliver good work that they can use and be proud of. And also for my ability to communicate artistic expression in a way they understand and also interpret their limited artistic vocabularies and execute close to their visions. It’s a very marketable skill.

What does “perfection” mean to you? Do you think that it’s worth pursuing?

What does “perfection” mean to me? Is it “worth” pursuing? I think perfection means different things to different people and depending on who you ask and how, you may get varying answers.

For me, I think perfection is elusive and deceitful. It’s rare to find it and when you think you’ve made something “perfect” it only takes a few days before you start noticing imperfections about it and then you no longer feel like you’ve made a “perfect” piece of art.

Do I think that it’s worth pursuing? Absolutely. It’s through pursuing perfection that I am where I am in my career; always striving for the top of the mountain and having it only stretch before my eyes as I climb higher and higher. It makes you hungry and relentless in your chase to make amazing work, but it also comes at a cost; you’re never really happy with anything you make. It’s always time to get up and do the next piece without sitting and appreciating what you create in the moment.

For some, this may be counter productive or exhausting. The idea that you’re constantly chasing after something that will never come to you is a madman’s journey to darkness.

For me, I value the self imposed restriction of “enjoying what I create in the moment is worth what is offered if you don’t restrict it”. If you don’t restrict yourself from enjoying what you make and avoiding perfection simply cause [sic] “perfect” art doesn’t exist, then you may plateau. [A]nd, for me, to plateau is your artistic curiosity, inspiration, and drive to improve dying before your very eyes.

Du-Wayne Hinds’ “Changes” Drops

K.F. Cumberbatch
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Du-Wayne Hinds’ “Changes” Drops

du-wayne hinds "changes" cover imageThis past Friday singer, dancer, and actor Du-Wayne Hinds released his latest single, “Changes“. On the three minute and 16 second track, Hinds sings of letting go of the things and people that prevent him from being his best self. Hinds wrote and produced the song and local music production company, Paranormal Productions, handled mixing and mastering.

“Changes” is the fourth single from his forthcoming sophomore EP Inhale. The EP’s first singe, “Ocean“, was released in April, 2020. In 2016 Hinds released his first EP, Breathe.

Hinds is currently on tour with Burna Boy, performing as a background vocalist.

In 2019 Hinds was cast in the West End production of The Lion King. He has performed as part of the ensemble and as the Simba understudy.

Listen to changes below.

 

Fast Five Featuring Melanie Renee

K.F. Cumberbatch
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Fast Five Featuring Melanie Renee

Melanie Renee is a fashion designer and stylist. In 2017, she started her handmade lingerie brand, La Vern by MR. Her pieces have been worn by the likes of Amanda Reifer, in her “Rich Bitch Juice” music video, and Mahalia Cummins, in 2 Mile Hill’s “Conversation” music video.

You may have also seen Melanie’s lingerie on other prominent women in Barbados like Kesia Estwick, Shana Hinds, Krisirie, Christian Gibbs, Jalicia Nightengale, and Kari McCarthy-Miller. Melanie also created the outfit that Faith Callender wears in the cover art for her single, “Pop Kite”, and has styled Callender many times.

She is one of the local designers who were featured in the Fashion Week Brooklyn 2020 Style X Caribbean Fashion short film and in the fashion and arts edition of the NCF’s we166, published last year.

Fast Five Melanie Renee
Photo provided by Melanie Renee. Photography by Emre Erturk.

What sparked your interest in fashion design?

The fashion freedom of New York. As a young teen (14), revisiting after a very long time, it was like my designer spidey senses awakened. Aha. It was really quite surreal, seeing people have no limitations to style. These weren’t celebrities or TV hosts or models; these were regular people with unique styles.

Which of your designs are you the most proud of and why?

No Underwear. This caption I’d written on Instagram almost a year ago is the best way to describe this piece:

“When I started La V, I was just a creative, but in the world of entrepreneurship that wasn’t enough. There was a certain level of responsibility and integrity that I had to begin operating with and naturally in this result-driven, progressive society, it turned into perfectionism. Perfectionism was so important to me as I fought to stay competitive in a growing industry, but that same perfectionism led to procrastination and feelings of unworthiness, many times.

Not understanding the importance of balance at the time, I continued to build the habit of ‘this must be perfect first’. After continuing like this for years, I became stuck. I had a creative block. Not being able to produce as an entrepreneur who had responsibilities seemed unacceptable. How does that work in a society like this?

After some reflection, I began to draw, it made sense to try another form of self-expression. One without the pressure. Through realizing that I was seeking perfection in my drawing as well, I got frustrated and just began throwing paint, string, glitter everywhere aha. It resulted in one of the most beautiful art pieces I’d ever seen, a goddess with a crown, unfinished but mesmerizing. It wasn’t in comparison to anyone else’s art, it wasn’t for sale, it was free.

I stared at that piece for 10 mins and just began thinking about how perfect authenticity is. I wrote that line everywhere “authenticity is perfection”. It was from this that I knew I needed to enjoy the journey, explore my talent, and create more freely.

That’s when I created No Underwear – nothing else and I released it. No collection, just the goddess. This set will always mean the world to me, it reminds me of how a disadvantage can be turned into an advantage.” None of this means that I don’t still have blockages or struggles, it just means that I know I can get past them.”

I’m sorry it was so long, but to summarise what that piece has done for me would be unfair.

How would you describe your creative process?

Intuitive. Metamorphosis. Personal.

Who is the one person that you would love to design something for? Why?

Any artiste who genuinely appreciates the creative details and intricacy and loves style. Someone open minded and confident, who is sure of who they are, but willing to learn. A warm spirit who’s genuine and passionate. I’m not sure who that artist is, but I can’t wait to dress them.

Why have you chosen a career as an artist/creative? What is your “raison d’être”?

I don’t think I really chose it. It chose me. My granny, La Vern, was one of the best designers and seamstresses of her time. She could create pieces without patterns and would know your size by just looking. A true master. Growing up it was always interesting that I looked like her. We’re both quite peaceful too. Though I came into my destiny “late”, it was already fated.

MEDIA RELEASE: Skylarkin’ Media Inc. Signs Industry Expert to Mentor Caribbean Creators

K.F. Cumberbatch
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MEDIA RELEASE: Skylarkin’ Media Inc. Signs Industry Expert to Mentor Caribbean Creators

BRIDGETOWN, June 21, 2022 – Skylarkin’ Media Inc., the parent company of award-winning Alluhwi Comics digital platform, announced today its partnership with Polish film director and storyteller Matt Subieta. This move will connect creatives across the region with industry level facilitators and mentors to provide practical training and potential internship opportunities.

Matt Subieta brings over 20 years of experience in art direction and visual storytelling, having written and directed series for the History Channel, Discovery Channel and CANAL+. The award-winning director uses creativity as an effective teaching tool, with an emphasis on mentorship.

CEO of Skylarkin’ Media Inc. Marc R. D. Gibson confirmed that the courses available to its first cohort are Storyboarding and Animatics, a Blender Short Course and Motion Comics. He explained that key to this training programme is the fresh, interactive hands-on approach designed to accelerate the career path of persons in the creative field. Caribbean creators will benefit from an unprecedented level of
professional mentorship as well as skill development customized for each member of the cohort. “

The upstart startup will be hosting a free webinar in the first week of July to launch their training arm, giving persons across the region groundbreaking access to industry professionals involved in comic book creation, animation, storytelling, film, gaming and much more. The company confirmed they will be opening registration soon.

Head of Marketing and PR, Tamara Alleyne stated, “We could not be more proud of this game-changing initiative. Ultimately, our goal is to empower our Caribbean creators with the skills and practical experience to land them jobs within the creative industry, so their talents can shine at places like Pixar and Dreamworks. We want our people to not only dream bigger but to make a career out of their passion so they can tap into and benefit from a multi-billion dollar industry. Skylarkin’ Media has made a commitment to bridge that gap and create opportunities for our people within a space that is crying out for diversity and Caribbean stories.”

Fast Five Featuring Nathan Mack

K.F. Cumberbatch
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Fast Five Featuring Nathan Mack

Nathan Mack is a cinematographer and editor whose list of collaborators is as long as it is impressive.

He’s worked with local pop-punk band Sundown Superhero as the cinematographer, director and editor of their “Midnight Knock” music video; Jaryd Niles-Morris and Dominique Henderson on ‘Film’ and Dance Experiment with Ghelisa Mayers; Adaeze and their production and talent management company, House of Dae, on too many projects to list, including Adaeze’s Dae + Nate Project – he’s the titular “Nate”; Machel Montano, including doing videography on his “So Good” music video; and Junior Sealy as one of the cinematographers for Fashion Week Brooklyn 2020 Style X Caribbean Fashion.

Fast Five Nathan Mack
Photo provided by Nathan Mack. Photography by Alexander Newton.

When/How did you realise that this is what you wanted to do with your life?

Growing up I was in love with cars and hooked on BBC’s Top Gear. I didn’t know what editing was at the time, but the way the show was creatively put together, I made sure I watched every single episode (until Jeremy Clarkson was fired; only real fans will understand).

After graduating [from the] Barbados Community College with my degree in Information Technology, I decided to try the BFA programme at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination and truly connected with my fire to create. At the time I was into music production as a hobby and a colleague gave me a camera to record his performance.

After uploading it to YouTube, I realized this was in essence how Top Gear was made and my love for technology and art combined through the filmmaking process. [I] decided to follow this newfound interest as my next career choice, eager to see where this journey might lead.

What has been your proudest moment thus far?

I cherish all moments equally because  they’re all integral parts of my journey, but one of my highlight moments thus far would have to be my work on the music video “Patra” for Navy. We met in the height of the pandemic, when I felt like giving up on my career in film, and set out to create a body of work I am proud of given the circumstances we faced.

The song has gone on to become her second single, streaming over 1,000,000 streams and was selected by the Recording Academy to be a part of their Press Play At Home Series[.] [I] had to travel to her home island of Dominica to record that performance.

Who is the one creative, alive or dead, that you would love to work with?

I would risk it ALL for the opportunity to work with Rihanna! When I started seriously pursuing my career in film, I set a goal for myself to be the first Barbadian director to work with her. Chasing that dream has taken me to heights I had never once imagined and while I’m proud of all that I have accomplished thus far, I’m not giving up on that dream!

Although I haven’t gotten to work with Rihanna yet, when I look back on all the amazing opportunities I’ve been blessed with I’m truly humbled.

I’m honored to have worked with Britain’s Got Talent star Lettice Rowbotham, traveled to Haiti with the National Cultural Foundation as a lead cinematographer for Carifesta XII, produced Jus-Jay’s Red Bull 3 Style Submissions, collaborated with Grammy nominated singer Shontelle, toured with Machel Montano for 2 years and worked with Buju Banton for the Barbados leg of his comeback tour ‘Long Walk To Freedom; where I almost met Rihanna the night of the show but the universe had a different plan in motion. I’m not giving up yet!

What do you think makes you unique as an artist and creative?

What I think makes me unique is my perspective on people and the world. Coming from a small island like Barbados it’s easy to see the world one way, but I challenge myself to always have an open mind and, with my eager nature to learn paired with my quick wit and determination to never fail, I’ve discovered that I have a lot more to offer as I continue along this career path.

What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned in your career thus far?

The greatest lesson I have learned thus far is that talent isn’t all it takes to be a successful creative/artist. Talent is 2% of what you need and that’s being generous. What really counts is your disciplined work ethic, a positive attitude, clear and effective communication, being a good team player, being goal oriented, staying focused, continued reliability, and having true integrity. Talent may get you recognized but your ethic is what really makes you shine.

Matthew Clarke Nominated for Russ Manning Award

K.F. Cumberbatch
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Matthew Clarke Nominated for Russ Manning Award

Matthew Clarke headshot
Matthew Clarke.

In a recent post on social media, Matthew Clarke announced his nomination for the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award. Clarke secured the nomination thanks to his graphic novel Hardears. Presented by San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award, also known as the Manning Award, is given out at the convention every year.

As stated on SDCC’s website:

“It is presented to a comics artist who, early in his or her career, shows a superior knowledge and ability in the art of creating comics. ”

San Diego Comic-Con is the world’s largest comic and pop-culture convention. It is one of the most anticipated pop-culture events of the year, globally, due in large part to the trailers, sneak peeks, and other promotional material that studios release at the convention.

Hardears graphic novel cover
The cover of Heardears.

Heardears is set on the fictional Jouvert Island, a magical stand-in for Barbados. After the island is destroyed by a superstorm, Mr. Harding steps forward and presents himself and his Merchant Guild as the solution to the island’s economic problems. Mr. Harding, however, is using the island’s people for a more nefarious reason. Local hero Bolo, his love Zahrah, and their allies band together to stop Harding and save their home.

Earlier this year, Hardears was nominated for the Book of the Year award at the Gine On?! People’s Choice Awards. It is currently featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibit “Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room” and is on sale in the museum’s bookstore.

Matthew Clarke and Nigel Lynch – the co-creator of Hardears – founded Beyond Publishing Caribbean, a Barbadian indie comics publisher, in 2009. Heardears’ first issue was published under Beyond Publishing in 2013. In 2019 it was picked up by Abrams ComicArts and published under their Megascope line.

Fast Five Featuring Zoe Osborne

K.F. Cumberbatch
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Fast Five Featuring Zoe Osborne

Zoe Osborne is a physical and virtual interior designer and digital artist. A graduate of the Ryerson School of Interior Design, she founded Mahogany Culture in 2016 “to retain Caribbean culture and establish what it looks like in a modern context.”

In March 2020 she launched “Mahogany Exposition: What Is ‘Contemporary’ Caribbean Culture?”, a digital art exhibition which she curated. The exhibition featured the works of creatives from Barbados, the Caribbean, and the Diaspora. She also curated the “Free_Space” exhibition at UNCTAD 15 in October 2021, the “Non-Traditional” exhibition at the Caribbean Fine Art Fair in March 2021 and March 2022, and the upcoming exhibition “Reality”.

Osborne doesn’t just curate exhibitions, her own work has been exhibited as well. She was featured in “ISLND x WIDE AWAKES: Together We Are Awake”, “A Surreal Dream – Architecture in the Metaverse”, “Alternative Reality”, “BLACK*RARE”, and “Windows to Paradise”.

In addition to being an artist and curator, Osborne is a purveyor of NFTs.

Zoe Osborne Fast Five Feature
Photo provided by Zoe Osborne. Photography by Russell Banfield-Vizcarrondo.
What is the first work of yours that you released to the public? How was it received?

In early 2020 I created an exhibition focused on Caribbean Culture in Art and due to the pandemic I ended up making it into a digital animation. This may not have been the first piece of creative work that I released, but I definitely consider it to be the launch of my creative career.

It was well received and, after putting it out, I got many opportunities that led me to where I am today; freelancing and exploring my creativity and artistic expression digitally. I got a lot of positive feedback as well as some constructive criticism.

Who are your influences and what have you learned from them?

The main influence of everything I do is the Barbadian community. My interest in Caribbean history, culture, and architecture was heavily influenced by my mother, uncles, and my family and the discussions and experiences I had with them exploring the island as a kid.

I learned about the history and tangible and intangible elements of our culture from our Sunday drives[.] [W]e looked for houses or visited gullies while my family debated historical stories about each place we visited.

Using this knowledge and interest as a foundation of my creative journey, I have been influenced by Errol Barrow’s [M]mirror [I]mage speech and the many successful people in today’s generation that use their culture in creative ways of self-expression, identity, and business.

When/How did you realise that this is what you wanted to do with your life?

I always felt that I was meant to work with Culture and identity and to use my voice to add to the diversity of what is considered Caribbean Culture, but initially I wasn’t sure exactly how that would translate into a job.

As I got commissions to create digital works, I started to see how I could use this platform to represent the Caribbean in a new form. The more I pushed myself and created from my memory and nostalgia of the spaces I visited as a child, I just had this comforting sense of purpose and fulfillment within me. It was just like: ” This is what I’m meant to do.”

What would you say is the best decision you’ve ever made in your career thus far?

I am at a point in my career where I’m still waiting to see how each decision that I make will play out in the long run, but so far I can say that by creating and learning and just pushing myself to find ways to do the projects that come to mind without letting any barriers stop me has been very rewarding.

One thing that I have adapted into my practice is to “just do it in whatever way I possibly can”.

When was the first time that you felt like your work was appreciated?

When I created the first project I had a submission form for feedback and seeing all of the comments on how people enjoyed the art and also how the experience was curated was very fulfilling for me. I knew that the work I was doing with other artists and what I was creating was really appreciated. That has been a huge fuel for me in my career as well.

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