ARTIST COLLABS
Through my work, I’ve met many artists who’ve inspired me, and at times those experiences have led to creative collaborations—and lasting friendships. As with Chloe Sherman and Djeneba Aduayom.
After working together on a feature for the 2023 Pride Issue of Gigantic magazine, Chloe and I began exploring ideas around her groundbreaking project “Renegades.” Schlomer Haus Gallery in San Francisco had just held a solo show of the work, and Chloe was in the early stages of composing an artist statement, getting a website together, and developing a monograph. I was a resource and sounding board for her in this process. It was a thrill to travel to Berlin to attend the opening of her show at f3 gallery in 2023. And it’s been amazing to witness all of the success she’s achieved since then.
Chloe, far right, discussing “Renegades” at f3 in Berlin, 2023. Photo by Kristina Feliciano.
In 2023, Djeneba was completing a short film that reflected on the climate crisis, and she reached out to me to write a poem that would serve as its voiceover. She shared her thoughts on how the poem should feel, as well as a rough cut of the film, and I responded. The short, titled “Atmospheric Perspective,” was featured in an exhibition at Fotografiska in Stockholm and NYC.
Poem
I wasn’t here to see you begin, but I am watching you perish.
We thought your beauty knew no bounds, but now we know better.
We feel you changing beneath our feet, before our eyes.
Burning. A kind of silent rage. You can’t fight back.
Some of us reach out to you. A life force that is fading.
Ashes floating in poisoned air.
From feast to famine.
I wasn’t here to see you begin. But I am watching you perish.
Djeneba, second from right, at a panel discussion on opening night of the group show “Human / Nature” at Fotografiska in NYC. Photo by Kristina Feliciano.