Contemporary Art Show in Afghanistan

Check out this BBC News story on a contemporary Art Exhibition in Afghanistan

Self-Altered Photographs by Muslims and others

by Wendy Ewald

Wendy Ewald has worked for years to help others express their self-identity visually. Here are some examples of her collaborative work. They are photographs that have been altered using sharpie-type markers. I include them here as inspiration for participants in this project.

Two Americas

Someone today shared this You Tube post with me. It is a set up by ABC Prime Time to see how everyday Americans would react to discrimination leveled at outwardly dressed Muslims in a public place. This is a moving, disturbing video.

Summer Reading

Although my days are focused on developing self-portrait projects with Muslims living in North Carolina, my nights are filled currently with reading an excellent book edited by Edward E. Curtis titled The Columbia Sourcebook of Muslims in the United States. An anthology of primary sources on the Muslim experience in America, this book is balanced and extremely insightful.

Time Photo Essay: Muslim in America

Check out this beautiful photo essay on Time Magazine's Web site.

Summer Workshops

I am working full time on this project this summer. I am currently scheduling workshops across the state to allow 2-3 participants to make self-portraits. I am looking into setting up workshops in Greensboro, Fayetteville, Statesville, and Raleigh, North Carolina.

I will come to your mosque or community center to hold a workshop for interested persons. Beginning with a digital photograph, participants will work with me to alter the image using markers, paint, or collaged photographs. I will then adjusted these in photoshop to the liking of the participant. A printed copy will be given to the participant to keep. Participation is free. Individuals are asked to bring only their ideas and any materials such a photos they would like to have included in their self-portrait. A recorded interview or written response explaining the self-portrait will be taken from each participant.

Workshops are limited to 2-3 participants and will take around 2 to 3 hours to conduct.

I am also interested in hearing from Muslim artists living in North Carolina interested in doing their own portraits and having them considered for this project.

New Participants

I am currently working with five participants: three from UNC, one convert, and one deployed soldier. I am interested in finding a mosque interested in hosting 2 work shops to complete several self-portraits at once. There are NO fees. Please contact me at todd@tdrake.com if interested.