In this episode of Art Affects, Gherdai Hassell sits down with artist and educator Louise Mandumbwa to explore how identity, belonging, and memory materialize through creative practice. Together, they trace the threads of migration, care, and imagination that shape the stories artists carry ,and reimagine belonging through material and memory.

In this intimate and layered conversation, Gherdai Hassell and Louise Mandumbwa reflect on how art becomes a vessel for remembering, reimagining, and reclaiming identity. From their meeting at the Chautauqua residency to their shared devotion to storytelling through form, texture, and spirit, they speak on navigating displacement, the politics of representation, and the sacred act of making.

Louise discusses her evolving practice,  how she merges portraiture, memory, and found materials to create new visual languages that honor both the personal and collective. Together, they explore what it means to belong while in motion, how teaching can be a form of care, and how artists transform material into meaning.

This episode is an offering,  a meditation on presence, transformation, and the quiet strength found in returning to the self.

00:00 — Introduction: Meeting Louise at Chautauqua and the meaning of artistic encounters

Louise Mandumbwa is a Botswana-born visual artist and educator based in the U.S. Her work explores the intersections of identity, migration, and memory, often through portraiture and material experimentation. Louise has exhibited internationally and is recognized for her nuanced explorations of cultural hybridity, personal history, and belonging.

Art Affects, hosted by Gherdai Hassell , is a podcast exploring the connection between art, wellness, and the creative process. Each episode invites artists, thinkers, and makers to reflect on how art shapes who we are and how we live.

In this episode I cover:

🎨 Whether you’re an artist, writer, musician, or simply someone trying to live more creatively, you belong here. Subscribe for more videos on art, creativity, and living a life that feels true to you.

I’m Gherdai, a multidisciplinary artist, host of the Art Affects Podcast, and wellness practitioner. My purpose is to build communty through art.

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In this episode, I relect and explore the transformation that comes from embracing your identity as an artist.We discuss how creativity opens doors to self-discovery, healing, and deeper connection.

Whether you’re just beginning your artistic journey or seeking renewed inspiration, this episode invites you to reflect on how art can change not only what you create but who you are.

Tune in, and let’s take this journey of transformation together.

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Can you believe its been 5 years y'all!?

Episode Description:

Why I Started This Podcast:

Whether you’re a returning listener or brand new to the podcast, this episode is your personal invite to slow down, tune in, and reconnect with yourself through the lens of art, storytelling, and reflection. Let’s reintroduce ourselves, because sometimes, starting fresh is the most powerful thing we can do.

Peace, 

Gherdai 

This podcast episode is sponsored by The Catapult Caribbean Artist Showcase Grant. made possible by the American Friends of Jamaica, Fresh Milk Barbados, and Kingdom Creative. Thank you

is your neighborhood vibe dealer, who uses music as a medium to invigorate his listeners emotions through a fusion of introspective lyrics & soulful sounds.

Buzby has cemented himself as a reputable architect within Bermuda’s creative culture, making music for roughly 10 years now.

In 2013, he was awarded the Capital G Inspiration Scholarship for artistically talented students. Since then, he has released calculated singles that have been featured in Bermuda’s Top 100 (via Streaming platforms) & has received over 100,000 plays on SoundCloud from all walks of life.

He is influenced by musical icons such as OutKast, Anita Baker, Bob Marley, Jay-Z & Sade. 

2021 looks to be an impactful year for Buzby as he has released his debut EP “What You Failed to Observe”, available  December 2020.

You can listen to his music here:

https://lnk.to/WhatYouFailedtoObserve

You can connect with him here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildinthebuzz/?hl=ur

Twitter: https://twitter.com/buildinthebuzz

This podcast episode is sponsored by The Catapult Caribbean Artist Showcase Grant. made possible by the American Friends of Jamaica, Fresh Milk Barbados, and Kingdom Creative. Thank you 

NealJhay a native artist of Bermuda, has embraced the artistic passion which is his drive to continue his art journey. NealJhay always carried a notebook and pencil case around with him, just in case an idea sparked in his head. After watching so many cartoons and drawing them, tracing them, he branched out to creating his own characters and even naming them. As he went through middle school and high school, his passion for art and creating grew. He attended Bermuda College, graduating with an Associates in Art and Design then continued his journey to Savannah College of Art And Design.

Due to unfortunate circumstances, he was unable to complete my studies, causing him to return back to Bermuda. “It was a bitter way for me to return to back home. As devastated as I was, I had to keep it pushing and find new avenues to venture through life!” NealJhay was able to pick up his art when he returned which led him to the Charman Prize Art Competition, hosted by Masterworks.

Masterworks awarded him the chance to feature his artwork in Homer’s Cafe which was the beginning of his art journey. This was the birth of his first showcase “Abstractuality.”   

“The amount of love and support I received from the Charman Prize and Abstractuality was enough to keep my motivation going.” The second showcase “Tra Si Efil” which is “Art Is Life” backwards was a collaborative showcase that featured 5 other local artists. 

After hosting two successful showcases, NealJhay continued to create and put a twists on his solo showcases by including models and presenting them to the crowd. “I wanted to showcase my art a little bit different from the usual ‘on the wall, come look at me’ presentation.” The showcases have been well received by the public and continuously grows. “Naked Canvas, Archipelago, No Name No Title were mind-blowing to my friends, family, continued supporters and new supporters.”

Daybreak, the most recent showcase which took place on October 4th, was a showcase that shifted his artwork and showcases to a whole new level. “To see people not only accept my presentation, but to see audience members smiling hard, proud of me, crying tears of joy or even relating to the theme was humbling.”

After closing Daybreak, NealJhay’s mind has been working towards the next showcase and near future plans, including branding. “While I continue on this journey, I will keep experiencing and expressing my emotions into my art, the good and bad. This is not only for me, but for the ones I love and aspiring creatives looking to start their creative journey.”

If you would like to connect with NealJhay you can find him on Instagram at www.instagram.com/nealjhaytheartist 

This Episode is sponsored by The Caribbean Artist showcase Grant with The American Friends of Jamaica and Fresh Milk Barbados Partnership!

Rochelle Minors is a Bermudian designer. She has been Designing since the age of 7 with paper dolls. She Started sewing lessons at 10 years old. And subsequently Went to Bermuda College and studied Art and Design in 2009. After graduating, she  Moved to London in 2010  to pursue Fashion. From there she Received BA in Hons with Distinction in Fashion Design. During her time in University she Worked for designers such as Lulu Liu, Mother of Pearl, Zandra Rhodes, and Net-a-porter.

She launched  Rochelle Nicole, her fashion label  in 2014 after graduation. Her collection was  Featured at Graduate Fashion Week in London and Bermuda Fashion Festival. The Windows Collection was featured in Nylon Magazine Online, Essence Magazine Online and press  in Bermuda. She continued developing her line in the uk for 4 years and then returned to Bermuda in 2018. It was this move that inspired her Relaunch of Rochelle Nicole.

Her brand debuted the Swirl Collection at Bermuda Fashion Festival Local Designer Show. She wont top prize and was able to  showcase her collection at New York Fashion Week (FGNY).

She continued with this trajectory and was Featured in RG Magazine and on the Cover of West Jet Magazine. In 2019 she also secured Store Collaborations with Orange Bay.

This year in 2020 , she Won Best of Bermuda Award - in the Local Clothing Designer Category. The corona virus pandemic called for the designing of masks. So she answered the call and created a line of masks She Partnered with Brown and Co., and they carry her masks as merchandise on island.  Rochelle is committed and dedicated to her purpose in fashion. With faith she has been able to manifest abundance and continues to create. 

She is Currently in progress of creating her SS21 Collection. 

If you would like to connect with Rochelle, You can find her online at www.Rochellenicole.co.uk

Brixx is a Bermudian songstress, song writer, and recording artist. Around the age of 7, Brixx began singing in her living room, and at family gatherings. The first time Brixx performed live on a stage was at age 13. She was a shy performer and lacked confidence in her ability, so she stopped pursing music to study Business Administration at the University of North Carolina. After graduating university, she realized that the business world wasn’t her passion, and began to pursue her music career in Bermuda. 

A few short years later, Brixx has opened for acts like Koffee and Monica.  She has performed for musical icons Keri Hilton and Anthony Hamilton.  Recently, Brixx released a song in the European market which has garnered over 400k views on Youtube. Brixx is passionate about the music industry in Bermuda, and inspiring the next generation of artists, therefore she started the Bermudian cypher series “The Foundation” which showcases local recording artists.

She recently Launched Bermudian Quizine, which are a taste of comedic relief. She and her partner seek out the best of the best in culinary foods and beverages that the island of Bermuda has to offer, and guess where the food has come from. Brizz is super talented and is using her voice to add spice to the entertainment scene in Bermuda. If you would like to connect with Brixx, you can find her on youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClSKGqutP0mXxWSbrWCLAyA

and on Instagram at @Brixxtheartist and @Bermudianquizine

Bermuda Born is a luxury affordable leather handbag and accessories brand. Founded by designer Patrice Morgan, it is a reflection of how people live on the island of Bermuda.

“With the brand, I wanted it to be very colourful, I wanted it to invoke a sense of relaxation, I wanted to create products that travel well and to create a brand that could be synonymous with resort wear, “ said Morgan. “In terms of our leather goods, our style is a fusion of modern yet classic, something that is timeless and sustainable.”

Morgan, who has a background in magazine publishing, decided to change course and pursue her passion for fashion professionally by studying Fashion Design & Merchandising at Clark Atlanta University (US), and Product Design with a concentration in handbag design at the London College of Fashion (UK).

Design has always pulled her back in and thus the creation of Bermuda Born was inevitable. Morgan states, “I just think style and fashion is an immensely powerful tool, so in an unconscious way it has always appealed to me. When I was a teenager in secondary school, I took extracurricular sewing courses in the evenings. I liked that fashion allowed you to differentiate yourself from others and I saw how the way people dressed changed people’s moods and affected people’s opinions about others. It’s a way of communicating without explaining anything about yourself because your style tells people who you are when you make an entrance.”

Each item in the brand– ranging from the classic totes to elegant coin purses – is named after one of Bermuda’s 9 parishes or cultural landmarks, and they are all made of durable leather from Spain and Portugal. “We only source very high quality leather. We work with small factories and we produce small quantities at a time. We can be proud of the fact that we know exactly where our products come from, who creates it, who sews it, who cuts out the leather.

Therefore, Bermuda Born is not only a responsible, ethical and sustainable brand, it’s personal too, due to these combined factors.” Morgan designs her collection with an occasion in mind. You will find a handbag for a work event, a wedding or a casual weekend. The sights and experiences of international travel often spark creative ideas for her, although a prime source of inspiration is the Bermudian people, who she describes as “almost an endangered species” due to external influences on the

country’s population of merely 70,000.

Morgan notes, “Bermudians carry very unique characteristics. We’re very friendly and open, selfless and community-oriented. We have a lot of time for others and we’re very genuine people. With a Bermudian what you see is what you get.” Their special qualities also include an amazing sense of fashion she expressed. “I think it is a fusion of American and European style, but we put our own twist on it, and that to me is what makes it very worldly and very Bermudian

at the same time. We like a lot of bright colours because our environment is very bright, so I think that’s what sets us a part.”

To learn more about our brand follow us on Instagram @bermudabornlabel or

www.bermudaborn.com

Hana is a Bermudian singer and songwriter Hana Bushara was inspired to start writing songs for a final project under the mentor-ship of her English teacher Charlie Judd, who exposed her to artists that would become foundational inspirations to the beginnings of her musical journey. At 16, she was awarded the United World College scholarship in Bermuda and was granted the opportunity to finish her high school studies in Duino, Italy for two years. There, came to know and love students from over 90 different countries, allowing her to foster a better understanding of the world and its colorful contexts.

The21- year old was the winner of Heather Nova’s Young Songwriter Competition, where she was coached by Heather and had the opportunity to perform her original song “Seeds” at the Bermuda Festival in 2019. Earlier this year, she opened one of the festival concerts with Derek G and performed 4 of her original songs. Although still young, Hana’s writing has taken her on several musical journeys and she has been able to perform in open mics in Bermuda, Italy, Denmark, and the U.S. She is currently double majoring in Global Studies and Sociology at St. Lawrence University, where she is also a member of the University’s chamber choir, funk ensemble, and the lead singer of the band H.U.A.C. She thinks telling stories in her music makes up for difficulty she finds in doing it conversationally. She uses singing to build, to confront, and to connect. She sights some of her biggest musical influences as Ms. Lauryn Hill, Moses Sumney, Leonard Cohen, Tracy Chapman and Jordan Rakei.

If you would like to connect with Hana you can find on her instagram @HanaBusharaMusic