Anita Whittaker & Friends Podcast

This show was recorded a month ago before Covid-19 swept across the globe.  However.  Being politically aware is still a very important and relevant message, and when all is done, with Covid-19, there will be a lot changed in our world that we will all need to be aware of.  So; in the spirit of encouraging awareness, especially at these difficult times where civil liberties can be bent and stretched and what that can mean for our futures, I have decided to post this discussion.  Please feel free to comment, always stay alert and do your own research.

Tom and I had a lot of catching up to do, so this podcast in in three parts to be released throughout this week.

find Tom on Twitter @tomlondon6

This show was recorded a month ago before Covid-19 swept across the globe.  However.  Being politically aware is still a very important and relevant message, and when all is done, with Covid-19, there will be a lot changed in our world that we will all need to be aware of.  So; in the spirit of encouraging awareness, especially at these difficult times where civil liberties can be bent and stretched and what that can mean for our futures, I have decided to post this discussion.  Please feel free to comment, always stay alert and do your own research.

Tom and I had a lot of catching up to do, so this podcast in in three parts to be released throughout this week.

find Tom on Twitter @tomlondon6

This show was recorded a month ago before Covid-19 swept across the globe.  However.  Being politically aware is still a very important and relevant message, and when all is done, with Covid-19, there will be a lot changed in our world that we will all need to be aware of.  So; in the spirit of encouraging awareness, especially at these difficult times where civil liberties can be bent and stretched and what that can mean for our futures, I have decided to post this discussion.  Please feel free to comment, always stay alert and do your own research.

Tom and I had a lot of catching up to do, so this podcast in in three parts to be released throughout this week.

find Tom on Twitter @tomlondon6

We interrupt our usual podcasting to give you a little message of support during these strange times.  This is new for all who are in the middle of the COVID-19 threat and globally, we are all trying to make the best out of what we have.  To all of you out there, I hope you are doing well.  Please do follow your governments advice wherever you are, and, of course.  Stay safe.

NOTE: This is part 2 of a two part Art series featuring the 'GOLLY' exhibition by Gary Jo Gardenhire.  Please listen to episode 1 with Professor Justin Randolph Thompson HERE

In discussion with friend and Artist Gary Jo Gardenhire, discussing his controversial exhibit ‘GOLLY’ and how he processed being called a ‘Golliwog’ here in London. Accompanying visual short doc piece will follow.

"I began painting their images on historical prints to disrupt the status quo, making space for (re)thinking history, race and to reclaim cultural narratives."

Gary paints, draws and sculpts, find him on
Instagram:- https://www.instagram.com/gary_jo_g/
Website:- https://www.garyjogardenhire.com/


Gary's 'Golly' pieces, were shown in Florence as part of their Black History Month events.
Before the Coronavirus pandemic, Anita visited Florence to view the works at SRISA https://srisa.org

For further information on Back History Month Florence, and to help with research, contact Justin and the team below
Website:- Black History Month Florence
Facebook:- https://www.facebook.com/blackhistorymonthflorencepage/
Instagram:- https://www.instagram.com/black.history.month.florence/?hl=en

NOTE: This was recorded in February before the coronavirus lockdown

Black History Month is an irritation of Anita's as she feels it is often used as a gimmick to sweep real issues under the table and 'tick' the diversity box. 

Justin explains how, an African-American man came to create Black History Month in Florence, Italy and how he is aiming to help educate and 'involve' the wider population of Italy. 

Through many mediums including Art, Justin is a 'Fine Art' Professor, he explores blackness through the black population living in Italy, including Anita's beloved friend Gary Jo Gardenhire whose 'Golly' pieces, were shown in Florence as part of their Black History Month events.

Anita and Justin also discuss, what is 'Art' and how everyone can, and should, access it's many forms.

For further information on Back History Month Florence, and to help with research, contact Justin and the team below
Website:- Black History Month Florence
Facebook:- https://www.facebook.com/blackhistorymonthflorencepage/
Instagram:- https://www.instagram.com/black.history.month.florence/?hl=en

As this is a discussion about the visual arts, an accompanying video will be released with part 2
This is part 1 of a two part Art series featuring the 'GOLLY' exhibition by Gary Jo Gardenhire.

Special mentions:
Thank you to Prof. Andrew Smaldone Academic Dean at Santa Reparata International School of Arts
Prof. Justin Randolph Thompson & Gary Jo Gardenhire for their support and time in putting this podcast series together.

SRISA - https://srisa.org
Gary Jo Gardenhire - https://www.garyjogardenhire.com/

Further learning:-
The Black Prince of Florence by Catherine Fletcher:- Penguin
Africans in Renaissance Europe by Cecily Garber:- The Ultimate History Project
Pamela Z - pamelaz.com

Loren-Jai Freeman is a 25 year old who owns two successful businesses.  Her strong work ethic and dedication has carried her thus far.  With stories afar of the 'out of work' newly graduated, millennial Loren-Jai talks about her experiences and how she has managed to create her own path.

Industry Haus  is an independent creative talent management agency that promotes collaborations between clients as well as talent. They help individuals to work together across various disciplines with ease.  find them here:- https://www.industryhaus.com

Instagram:- https://www.instagram.com/weareindustryhaus/
Twitter:- https://twitter.com/industryhaus
LinkedIn:- https://www.linkedin.com/company/industry-haus/
Facebook:- https://www.facebook.com/weareindustryhaus/

Loren-Jai Freeman (design) can be found at www.lorenjaifreeman.co.uk
Instagram:- https://www.instagram.com/lorenjaifreeman/

The Occasion is Climate Emergency, the dress code is slow fashion. 

Jen Logan is an Australian artist living in Harlesden, London. 
She is the creator behind 'The Garment Streak', a collaborative Instagram performance piece, which challenges people to post a picture of themselves wearing the same garment every 24 hours,  to challenge the norms of fast fashion.  This is done over a period of days or weeks.  Anita herself has 'streaked' and enjoyed learning ways to tackle her own personal challenges around wearing an item daily.

Anita and Jen discuss, what is 'The Garment Streak', why slow fashion is an important subject, and how we can all make a difference to Climate change.

Find the Garment Streak here and join the movement:
Instagram - @garmentstreak
YouTube - The Garment Streak

The Garment Streak is part of FER Production, a company founded by Jen and her Husband David.  Fer is a collective artist, following the tradition of art used as a theological medium; as an instinctive mode for communicating the faith. 
https://www.ferproduction.com

As we are in the heart of international fashion weeks and this weekend marked the end of London Fashion week, I thought I would speak to some of my friends in the fashion industry.  From fashion designers and producers of fashion shows to a talent agency owner and a sustainable fashion campaigner.

This weeks episode is in conversation with founder of London's 'Global Kids Fashion Week' Mini Mode. 

With a passion for building the confidence of all children that crosses her fashionable and creative path, and supporting fellow designers to grow and become wider known, Amanda talks to us about her experiences over the years and her brand Isossy Children  She walks us through the process that brought her to become a leader in children fashion shows and Aunty, sister, mother to all who work with her.

For more information on Mini Mode go over to http://www.mini-mode.co.uk
Instagram: @minimode_lkfw
Twitter: @minimode_lkfw
Watch videos of the shows and behind the scenes
YouTube: Mini Mode

Nathan Curran aka Tugg the Drummer started out aged 10, in a small town a few miles from Norwich, he has gone on to be a drummer as part of some huge internationally acclaimed bands including Basement Jaxx and Gorgon City.  Nathan is also a Dj, Producer and Tutor and one of the Drummers featured in the Documentary film 'The 3 Drummers'.

 Listen to Nathan’s inspirational story showing how his success was earned through hard work, a good support system and belief in himself.

 Find Tugg on: 

Instagram - tuggthedrummer_nathan_curran

Youtube - Nathan Curran Tugg Drummer

Website - Premier Percussion

Watch the documentary film ‘The 3 Drummers’.  The story of 3 Norfolk boys who grew up in 3 neighbouring villages and all went on to tour the world with their drum kits >>>>> The 3 Drummers

Drum intro by Nathan Curran.