My new art documentary photo book!
Everyday Blackness:
Celebrating Exceptional Women
Everyday Blackness: Celebrating Exceptional Women is my new art documentary photography book, a self-published series of 25 portraits of everyday exceptional Black women, with supporting quotes and text. The women featured are of diverse ages and backgrounds, from the NJ/NY area who defy stereotypes, forge unique paths and are exemplars of courage, tenacity, and resilience. Their roles include author, educator, entrepreneur, doctor, attorney – and more. This work dispels any reason to fear the "other” and reminds us that we are connected on a deeper level, having more in common than not. These photos and stories offer upliftment, insight and inspiration.
Please click here to view the entire book!
Virtual Reception & Celebration!!
Sunday, March 7 at 2pm EST
Please join us for a special virtual reception, celebration and discussion about my new project!
Kindly hosted by Dr. April Robinson, many of the women featured in the book will also be there! We will preview the work, learn how the project came together, and have lots of Q&A time! It will be a lively and interesting event!
Please click here to sign up! I will also be raffling one signed copy of my book for those who attend the event! (A separate online giveaway is detailed below!)
This is free and open to all! Anyone interested is welcome, so please share this with your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and family! Thanks and 'see' you there!
Book Giveaway!!
In honor of Women's History Month, I am giving away a signed copy of my book to one lucky winner! There are 3 ways to enter (you can do all for more chances to win!):
1) Share my giveaway post on Instagram!
2) Share my giveaway post on Facebook!
3) Email this website to a friend and copy me (pkumar@parvathikumar.com)! You'll have as many entries as email addresses!
The contest runs until March 31, 11:59pm EST! I'll randomly draw and announce the winner on 4/1! Thank you for your support and good luck!
Exhibits featuring work from my project!
Wreck-oning
Cade Art Gallery
Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, MD
This national online mixed media art show, juried by Ms. Rai Arthur-Mensah, will be featuring one artwork each day (Mon-Fri) on their Instagram page, starting March 10. I'm thrilled to have one of my images from the project selected! Please check it out here starting 3/10!! (I'll most certainly be sharing on my IG!)
The theme: There has been a shift, a reckoning of sorts in the past year. As a nation we've been forced to simplify our lives, while also dealing with complex issues brought on by the shifts, everything from confronting our fragility as a human race to dealing with the cancer of racial injustice. This show will explore how we have confronted these complex issues as individuals and then as a nation. What have we learned? How do we think and act differently? Where do we go from here?
Black Superwoman Chronicles
Created by DeLisha Sylvester, this platform curates, nurtures, supports, and honors Black womxn, amplifying their voices through written and visual art. I'm so happy to share that the Visual Arts Collective at Black Superwoman Chronicles will be publishing my work "Everyday Blackness" the week of March 22! Please check it out here! (I'lll also be sharing it on my IG!)
Celebrating Black History Through Photography
Rutgers 4-H-From-Home Workshop Series
I was invited to present a webinar on 2/23 about my project and photo-book making experience. The entire talk can be viewed here.
Black History Month Juried Exhibition
Hammond Gallery
Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama
My portrait of Simone Gordon and book were featured in this beautiful juried mixed media exhibit. It showcased unbelievable artwork on African American Heritage, life, and experiences.
Celebrating Harlem Renaissance! Inspired by Black Achievements in the Arts
Medford Arts Center, Medford, NJ
This online exhibit features work inspired by the Harlem Renaissance honoring all black lives, past and present. It expresses and showcases Black History and Culture through many mediums of art. Three portraits from my series are included. There is also a short video version of all the work here (my 3 pieces appear at 0:42).
If Not Now, When?
Gallery 18
The Riverdale Y, The Bronx, NY
This virtual juried mixed media art show addresses the historic moment we have, brought in urgency by the Black Lives Matter protests, to close the American racial divide. I’m honored to have had three of my portraits in this show. The video of the virtual opening reception can be viewed here - my segment starts at 1:33:30! Please check it out!
HerStory
The Leadership and Arts Coalition based in MD hosted “HerStory”, curated by artist Jahne Brown. The event celebrates Black women through various art forms focusing on Black women today. Several of my portraits were featured in this event. Please view the video here - my part starts at 37:03 and includes an audio recording of me describing my work.