The Ethyr - Carbon-Fibre Media

Press,

Words and Pictures | tagged

MNN,

busts,

comics,

obots,

Monday

Feb202012

EVENT: Exhibition | Living Sculpture II : International Cultural Exchange : Jamaica

Edna Manley College's CAG[e] Gallery & Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator presents:

International Cultural Exchange (ICE) : 2012

Artist talks | Workshops | Studio visits | Exhibition

Artists will talk with artists about hyphenated existence, art production while living in the Diaspora, border communities, professional development opportunities, and document the process in Jamaica side by side Jamaican artists.

March 29th - April 3rd, 2012
Opening Reception: March 30th, 7 PM
Artists Workshops: March 31st, 9 AM - 4 PM

Edna Manley College
1 Arthur Wint Drive, Kingston 5, St. Andrew, Jamaica

Artists are from St. Maarten, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Jamaica, Trinidad, Venezuela, Gambia, Curacao and the U.S.:

For more information or interview booking, please contact:

Rosie Gordon-Wallace
Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator
305.542.4277
rogwall3(at)yahoo.com

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Event | tagged

diaspora vibe gallery,

donu,

edna manley,

hip pop,

int'l cultural exchange,

Friday

Jul152011

EVENT: Exhibition | A Summer of Prints and Small Sculpture | Medialia Gallery

Medialia: Rack and Hamper Gallery presents:

A SUMMER OF PRINTS AND SMALL SCULPTURE

The Apollo and Val-Mar busts by Grey & Kilroy III will be on display with the work of international artists including:

July 16th - August 20th, 2011

Medialia...Rack and Hamper Gallery
335 West 38th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018
t: 212.971.0953

Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 PM - 5 PM and by Appointment

www.medialiagallery.com

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Organizing for America & Partners in Health

Tuesday

Mar012011

SPOTLIGHT: CANVASS 44: This is what change looks like | Obama Art Project

For the benefit of the following charities and organizations:

Learn more on how you can get involved with CANVASS 44.

CONNECT WITH CANVASS 44

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Spotlight | tagged

obama,

onjena,

Thursday

Jan202011

EVENT: Exhibition | She's Got the Right Stuff: Comic Faves | Medialia Gallery

From Panel to Panel series sponsored by New Approach presents:

She's Got the Right Stuff: Favorites from the Comics Medium
Featuring the works of Jacob Chabot | Chris Giarusso | Grey | Sidney Jordan | Jesse Longergan

February 5th - 26th, 2011
Reception: Sat, February 12th, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Medialia...Rack and Hamper Gallery
335 West 38th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018
t: 212.971.0953
e: tara@medialiagallery.com

Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 PM - 5 PM and by Appointment

www.medialiagallery.com

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Tuesday

Nov162010

INSIDE LOOK: Grey and the Making of the Renegade Obama Bust

Renegade | President Barack Obama Bust

CFM: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DO A BUST OF PRESIDENT OBAMA?

GREY: After Barack Obama became President, it started. I watched as an unprecedented attempt at dehumanization took place with no respect for the man or the office that he held. I had seen these types of attacks before... I knew what they felt like.

History revealed that neither Malcolm X nor MLK had aspirations toward fame and fortune. Neither actively sought personal recognition. But when faced with extreme adversity they were forced to make choices of character.

It’s then that their greatness expressed itself. It was then that their true selves were revealed... and the hero emerged.

Seeing President Obama under monstrous but familiar assault, I respected the power of the moment and decided to bear witness to it...

I was struck by the strength he displayed, maintaining his character in the face of hate. I wanted to communicate how I was affected by that strength and the intensity of focus... I felt like he was fighting my fight... carrying my weight. So, I wanted to give something in return. The best that I have is my art...

Artwork becomes a part of history. Because of my ability and the uniqueness of my perspective, I couldn’t wait for someone else to capture what was happening at this time. I wanted to do my part.

CFM: WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THE OBAMA BUST?

GREY: The deciding moment was directly after seeing the monkey references made about the First Lady... when I researched that, I saw imagery online portraying the Obamas as less than human or less than what they were...

CFM: HOW DID YOU SETTLE ON THIS DESIGN... HIS EXPRESSION... HIS POSTURE...?

GREY: I wanted to portray the inner qualities of the man. I asked myself how does his wife see him, because she married him... how does a wife want to see her husband. I tried to stay true to that.

I selected the posture of a boxer because he is currently engaged in the fight of his life. His pose is reminiscent of the fighting style of Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather or someone like that.

CFM: WHAT KINDS OF REACTIONS HAVE YOU RECEIVED SO FAR ON THE BUST?

GREY: A few of my fellow industry professionals were shocked... they only knew of me as a writer or an illustrator.

We were reviewed on several designer toy sites... one of which, an industry leading blog called "Plastic and Plush" said, regardless of one’s political persuasion, the sculpting work was amazing and realistic. I took that as a great compliment.

While I was sculpting the bust, I received a visit from a highly respected, decidedly Republican friend of mine. As he viewed the work we debated over the significance of the Obama presidency. He is very open-minded but very skeptical in regards to the President and his policies. A few days later Obama delivered a powerful speech after the passing of health-care reform legislation. My friend called to tell me that he was deeply affected by it. He recounted a moment when Barack Obama faced the camera and said “This is what change looks like...” with the expression that he had seen on the sculpture.

He told me that it was an emotional moment of realization for him... that he “got it”. From that moment on, that quote has been on all literature associated with the work. I “got it” also.

[UPDATE: During the week of October 12-18, 2011, the Renegade Obama bust was featured on the cover of The Village Voice newspaper.]

CFM: SOME MIGHT SAY “RENEGADE” IS AN APPROPRIATE NAME FOR THE BUST SINCE PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS BROUGHT “UNWANTED” CHANGE TO AMERICA. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

GREY: I would say that change here more represents growth and progress. I don’t believe that people, in general, object to that, they just don’t want the pain often associated with it. Although I am not responsible for that moniker being placed on him, I chose it for the bust for what it could mean as a statement against the conventional thinking of the “old guard” who still believe that extreme separation between the classes still serves them.

I believe that the Obama presidency represents a paradigm shift, a “change” in perception... the effects of which will be felt beyond our lifetimes.

CFM: WHAT WAS YOUR PROCESS?

GREY: I worked in collaboration with an artist named Kilroy III. I provided him with gesture drawings and basic dimensions which he fleshed out in wax, giving me a basis... a foundation... from which to sculpt.

After I finished sculpting it, Kilroy III molded it and then cast a bust in resin which I continued to refine. The process of molding and casting was repeated until we had our final piece.

We worked on this bust, off and on, for about 3 months entirely out of the Brooklyn studio.

CFM: WHAT DID YOU USE FOR REFERENCE?

GREY: I studied photos. I watched him on TV. I watched him move to get a feel for his attitude... and gain some understanding of his energy.

Village Voice Cover Oct. 2011CFM: WHAT IS IT MADE OF?

GREY: “Renegade” is cast in our “metallique” finish which includes a mix of metal, resin, and a few drops of pigment. We enjoy being able to get just the right combination of texture, weight and and lustre to the work. It is an art form in itself and although I am involved in the process, Kilroy lll is the hand behind that, and I am continually impressed by what he is able to achieve.

CFM: SHOULD WE EXPECT A SERIES OF RELATED BUSTS?

GREY: I am toying with producing a couple of variations of the Renegade bust. I am also going to do a bust of First Lady Michelle Obama... and possibly a sculpt of the two of them together. I feel inspired to do these specifically as an artistic expression.

CFM: WHERE WERE YOU TRAINED AS A SCULPTOR?

GREY: I have had no specific training as a sculptor. As an artist I am self-taught.

I draw no distinctions in the creative process or its expression. Whether you sculpt, draw or write, at the core, it’s the same thing. It’s just a question of which tools you use to express something. I acquired the skills because I needed them.

CFM: WHERE CAN WE SEE YOUR WORK?

GREY: Our busts are currently on display at the Medialia Rack and Hamper Gallery in midtown Manhattan. We are negotiating with several other museums and galleries in Brooklyn, Harlem and D.C. as well.

We are also planning for a series of exhibitions centered on the Renegade Obama bust that will feature our work as well as many emerging and prominent artists in comics and designer toys.

As it relates to comic books, my last published work was for DC Comics in their Batman 80 Page Giant and an alternate cover for The Warriors.

My own art is released through our website, www.carbon-fibre.me. As a company, our focus is on establishing a strong web presence to communicate directly to our readership. I feel that to be very important for the art form moving forward.

CFM: WHAT’S NEXT ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU AND CARBON-FIBRE MEDIA?

GREY: My current focus is on completing the first “Val-Mar, Prince of the Damned” graphic novel and a series of busts and sculpts of related characters. I’ve completed busts from that property as well as from the upcoming graphic novel already in development, “The Legend of Apollo”.

There will be other stories released periodically on-line in the form of E-Cells. The E-Cell is a story-telling format that we created that I am particularly excited about. It allows me to tell a story without the limitations of standard pages, and take advantage of my individual strengths as a sequential artist.

The company is in development on several other entertainment properties that are entirely original and strikingly unique from what is currently out there. I am very proud of this... It is an exciting time for us.

CFM: IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THE OBAMAS, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW?

GREY: That no one can know the magnitude of this moment, the true significance of the role they play.

That even their enemies are forever changed, and time will reveal the effects on them and their families.

I would like them to know that they have a spiritual support even beyond anyone's understanding... that they are appreciated on that level.

For us that understand... that this is beyond a political thing, it is a bold step toward restored humanity...

I can almost hear my ancestors cheering.

To view more pics of the Renegade bust, please visit our Showcase.

To learn more about an artistic collaboration involving the Renegade bust, please visit CANVASS 44.

Connect...

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Inside Look | tagged

obama,

Friday

Oct082010

EVENT: New York Comic Con 2010 | CFM @ Booth 443

If you're in New York City this weekend, you can find us at the New York Comic Con . . . October 9th and 10th (Saturday and Sunday) . . .

We're at Booth # 443. Stop by and visit!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Event,

Words and Pictures | tagged

apollo,

argonaut resins,

chuck collins,

eric nocella diaz,

gold mane entertainment,

tuttz,

val-mar

Friday

Aug202010

COLLECTIBLES: "Val-Mar" | Limited Edition Collectible Bust by Carbon-Fibre Media

VAL-MAR

The Limited Edition 1/6th Scale Collectible Bust
Based on the Original Web Series "Val-Mar, Prince of the Damned"
Produced by Carbon-Fibre Media
Numbered and Signed by the Artists

Available at www.store.carbon-fibre.me

To view more pictures of the Val-Mar Collectible Bust,
please visit our Showcase.

Update on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 7:09PM by

Grey

"Carbon-Fibre Media unleashes their limited edition VAL-MAR 1/6th Scale Bust (Series 1). Cast in a "metallique" finish, each piece has a height of 10.5 inches, weighs 1.5 pounds, and is individually hand prepared, numbered and signed by the artists. Only 250 will be made...VAL-MAR is the third bust produced by the Carbon-Fibre Media artistic team of Grey and Kilroy III. CLICK THRU for more peeks at this marvelous piece of art." Read full article at TOYSREVIL.

TOYSREVIL | Blogging about toys and pop culture | www.toysrevil.blogspot.com

Also featured in . . .

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val-mar

Sunday

Jul042010

COLLECTIBLES: "Renegade" | Barack Obama Collectible Bust by Carbon-Fibre Media

"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot."

- Mark Twain -

"This is what change looks like..."

- President Barack Obama -

RENEGADE

The Limited Edition 1/6th Scale Collectible Bust
Produced by Carbon-Fibre Media
Numbered and Signed by Grey & Kilroy III

Available at www.store.carbon-fibre.me

Proceeds will be shared with Organizing for America.

To view more pictures of the Renegade, please visit our showcase.

For an inside look into the making of the Renegade, please read the interview with the sculptor Grey.

To learn more about an artistic collaboration involving the Renegade bust, please visit CANVASS 44.

Update on Friday, July 30, 2010 at 11:47PM by

Grey

RENEGADE BARACK OBAMA BUST

"No matter what your political persuasion is, you have to admit that the sculpting work on this bust is pretty amazing. We've seen a number of art toys based on the current president, but nothing as realistic as this one." Read full article at Plastic and Plush.

~ Plastic and Plush | www.plasticandplush.com

THE VILLAGE VOICE NEWSPAPER COVER | OCTOBER 2011

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