On a hot day in the early summer, we paid a visit to the hottest cool couple in the art world at the Decatur Art Festival in metro Atlanta. Artists Grace Kisa and Maurice Evans had sculptures and paintings on display and the two were hawking their wares. These uniquely talented individuals who have blazed their own trails, individually as creative powerhouses, have also left their mark in the Garden. Indeed, since the early days of Pangea, they have been enthusiastically supportive. The two have produced a couple of the earthSista image sets that elevated the standard for Afrosensual imagery. And on this hot summer day, they shared their thoughts on their art, afrosensuality and Pangea’s Garden.

When we approached Grace we were surprised by a visit from earthSista PrettyBlak who was admiring Kisa’s recent works. Grace styled PrettyBlak for the image set they created with Maurice. The earthSista was intrigued by Kisa’s sculptures. We asked Grace what inspired these pieces and she told us, ” The concept started from the collecting of disparate objects, things you would find in a yard sell, things you’d find at Goodwill… and then I incorporated clay and other parts like fiber, wood, zip ties and trying to make it make sense. Not necessarily like sense in the real world but sense in this world that has no rules. “

There was a specific piece that caught PrettyBlak’s eye. The sculpture was called “Inside Out” and when we asked Grace about she said,”There was a little girl in here who asked my why I had put the person in the cage. I told her it’s called “Inside Out” because the EGO is the front, the face, you show to the world and the ID is the real you on the inside. And she was like ‘I have somebody on the inside?’ and I told her it’s you on the inside. You know when your teacher is trying to take a picture of you they tell you to say ‘cheese’. They are asking you to say ‘cheese’ to appear that you are smiling but that’s not you. That’s somebody else on the outside, so that’s the you on the outside as oppose to the you on the inside that may not feel like smiling.”

We asked her if there was that level of depth in all of the works. She said, “Yes, in general, because as I build on it, I don’t have a preconceived idea, more improvisation, and as I build on it I am think about what this piece is saying.”

“While the pictures are beautiful on the site anyway, a lot of it becomes redundant to me in that I want to see more pushing it… more on the level of concept and how to execute those concepts. And I want it to be more aspirational, more creative, no matter what it is. I don’t want to dictate what that is but I don’t want to see the same old shot that someone could easily duplicate, even though some could duplicate our shots too…”

Grace’s thoughts on Pangea’s Garden

Duplicate their shots? Highly doubtful. Grace and Maurice have collaborated to create some of the most astounding works on the site. And earthSistas both current and future point to their works and say they want to create images as artful as theirs. Saying that they have set the high bar is no hyperbole. Their images are true works of fine art.

This led to us asking Grace when will we feature HER photography! She said she has a set of images that she has shot of earthSista PrettyBlak that we’ve never seen. She shot them on film and they are Josephine Baker theme. We will have to feature those, don’t you think?

“I don’t know anybody that feels the same way everyday.”

Maurice Evans on varied themes of his works

Maurice Evans told us this when we spoke to him about his works. He could speak to a specific motivation to the body of work he had on display at the Decatur Arts Festival. “I don’t believe that artists are monolithic. I don’t believe we should do just one thing.” Maurice said. He went on to say.”I know this happens a lot of times with galleries and clients demand that you have style or body of work. They want it to be similar for them so that they can identify the work. But as an artist you are supposed to express yourself.”

Maurice went on to say,”Just as there are different types of feelings and expressions, there should be different types of art. So I don’t just do jazz musicians as people know me for. I’ve always done abstracts, I’ve always done fantasy type figurative stuff. I never really limited what I did; it’s usually everybody else that has their idea of what I am.”

Yet, Evans’ vision is his brand. It is unique and distinctive. Maurice’s abstract aesthetic is undeniable as it translates from his paintings into his photography. “You are who you are. You can’t hide who you are. A lot of times, people make the mistake of trying to copy another artist or, definitely, being influenced by someone else. You are not being true to yourself so that’s why you don’t stand out… If you are true to yourself and doing YOUR thing, no one can do your thing. You are a unique individual. No one has the same story that you have. If you just stick to that, you will be different and stand out.”

Regarding his thoughts on Pangea’s Garden, Maurice had this to say:”I think the photography should be more creative. I do like that the women are natural; they are not necessarily glam girls. They don’t need to be glam girls but at the same time I think presentation can be everything. The misnomer would be that because they are natural they are not pretty. But at the same time you can be pretty and be natural…An afro can be pretty, it’s all in the presentation.”

“You don’t necessarily want a nappy afro but even it’s nappy, do something with it. Make it artistic, make it fashionable. The presentation can be better.”

Maurice’s thoughts on presentation in Pangea’s Garden

“There are other sites out there that deal with alternative beauty… but they still are pretty. It’s all in the presentation. So if the photography is a little more creative I think it would take it to the next level. I think if you add more video and if the footage is done in an artistic way, I think that takes your brand to another level.”

“You have to distinguish yourself from what’s out there. And even if you are distinguished, you still have to make where you are at a certain level. You can’t get lazy in laurels. You have to continue want the site and the girls and the photography to be at a certain level.”

Maurice’s thoughts on what we should do next in the Garden

Well said. Maurice has often offered to provide videography for the site. He has done so in the past, in that he was one of the cameras on Pangea’s first foray into online video with the ‘For Real Tho’ Show. So we have a few plans in the works.

Hopefully all will come to fruition soon. In the meantime, what do you think of these works and their thoughts?

Pangea’s Garden continues to grow. We are actively striving to be your Afrosensual nexus of ideas, images, commentary, participation and events that inspire, provoke, entertain and actively engage you. If you love what you see here and desire to see more, please consider signing up for a premium membership. It grants you access to ALL of the Garden’s content and you will be one of the Cultivators of the vision that we’ve ALL planted & grown in Pangea.