Wanda's Picks Radio, Wednesday, July 9, 2014: Madagascar Made

TaSin Sabir at Book Release Party
Photo credit: Everett Bass

 
TaSin Sabir joins us in the studio today to talk about her book, Madagascar Made (2014).

Her artwork can be described as vibrant and full of powerful and emotional messages. Skilled in a range of mediums, (including photography, painting, film, web & print design, and screen printing), TaSin uses this love for art making to express topics that are of an importance to her.

In 2004, TaSin graduated from California College of Arts and Crafts (now CCA), where she received a BFA in Fine Arts Photography.

TaSin signing Madagascar Made. Her father, Bilal Sabir watches.
Photo Credit: Everett Bass

Born and raised in Oakland, California TaSin’s artwork has been exhibited all around the Bay Area and Nation. Such galleries include, The Oakland Museum of California, The African American Historical and Cultural Society Museum, The Richmond Art Center, The Judah Magnes Museum, Pro Arts Gallery, Joyce Gordon Gallery, and the African American Museum in Philadelphia. TaSin has also published another photography book with Dr. Sonia BasSheva Mañjon: 100 Families Oakland: Art & Social Change (2007).

In 2007, TaSin took her passion for art and love of her community and opened a galley in Oakland called The Oakpod. During its time The Oakpod was a vital source for art and entertainment in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since its closure, TaSin has become an independent curator and curated shows for the Joyce Gordon Gallery, Maafa organization and others.

Currently TaSin is a freelance photographer and designer specializing in utilizing all her skill sets to create one of a kind projects for her clients.

TaSin with her mother Wanda Sabir at Madagascar Made
Release Party.
Photographer: Everett Bass.

Synopsis for book Madagascar Made

For a Diaspora Citizen, true freedom lies in choosing where one belongs. Such is the case for TaSin Sabir who fell in love with Madagascar, its people, fauna and flora at eleven years old in a geography class. When she finally made a journey home recently as an adult, the Sakalava people (West Coast) embraced her too. Madagascar Made (2014) illustrates this journey in bold, bright color. When TaSin donned her people's traditional basket hat, even police were surprised when this perceived native daughter spoke fluent English and carried an American passport. His facial expression was priceless. This is the creative genius of a Diaspora citizen, we belong and then, we do not. Hidden in plain sight, Madagascar Made shows in several self-portraits, TaSin here and TaSin there--Madagascar portraits on sight juxtaposed with shots posed similarly on another West Coast. Madagascar Made embraces the multiplicity of the African sojourn then and now and the fact that we are a global presence to be embraced as TaSin Sabir does photographically in this brilliant book.

Music this show: Rossy's One Eye on the Future, One Eye on the Past: "Mandry Ve," "Ramasy," and "Sira Sira." (Shanchie).

Link to the broadcast: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/wandas-picks/2014/07/09/wandas-picks-radio-show-madagascar-made

News
TaSin getting an award for photography at the Black Media Appreciation Night this Saturday 7/12/14 at the African American Art & Culture Complex San Francisco. starts at 7pm

TaSin's photographs from book Madagascar Made in this exhibit: The Capture of Life, Absent from Color. Exhibit runs from July 4 – July 26, 2014 at Joyce Gordon Gallery, Oakland.


Web links
www.tasinsabir.com (photography and design portfolio)

www.madagascarmade.com (you can preview the book, promo video and purchase)

Q&A about book on SFBayView site www.sfbayview.com/2014/06/madagascar-made-an-interview-wit-author-and-photographer-tasin-sabir/