Introducing
Michele Shak
Curator and events direction, with the art collective Unfamous, Michele Shak (OG Millie) sets up and launches her first curated show since the loosening of restraints that came with the COVID 19 lockdown, here in New York City.
”This is my right hand man,” was the most used phrase the entire evening. It is apparent that she has many loved ones around, many people that collaborate with her direction, and I appreciate the uplifting energy of Michele and her right hand man.
(Pictured Michele and her younger sister)
”This show was curated to bring light to the usually silenced voice of women in the graffiti and mural art scene. Coming together from all over NYC and beyond, these women embody the effects of the culture we experience through this art form.”
- M
“It’s a MothaTruckin
Art Show”
Thursday Oct 15 and Friday Oct 16 from 8pm-12am at Artel BK, the outdoor garden space. This show aims to bring light towards women graffiti, an often underrepresented topic as a whole. The lineup starts from the core of female empowerment through graffiti and mural art to the effect of their influence in what is the culture of this art today. From NYC and beyond, these artists exemplify a universal embodiment of sisterhood and feminism through their different forms of expression in the graffiti and mural art world.
Its a MothaTruckin Art Show will display artwork on 1:43 scale freight liner trucks
feat.
@anjlnyc @gem13nyc @ladypinknyc @iamlaia @indie184 @_myizm @vel_nine @mrrs.bx @nocrewlipss @lexibellaart @_ttbde @miss.thieve @n0_face_no_case
Curated by @unfamousny
Flyer Artwork by @art_stocks
Photos
Production Notes
Oct 4, 2020
I reached out to “Unfamous” on Instagram today. @Unfamous
I asked, simply, if I could tag along and document this all-women’s show right as NYC was reopening. It’s been a cruel, cruel summer and I can sense the restlessness once again. It’s hitting the streets! People are wanting to go outside, to mingle, to maybe even party a bit! As soon as I saw the flyer (above) posted on the Unfamous IG page, I knew I had to document this.
Oct 5, 2020
They reached back and Michele Shak, the curator with Unfamous and the person putting together the show, said yes! I have the date set and my mind right!
Oct 14, 2020
I got a new lens, 50mm f/1.8. Oh gosh, it’s so lovely, I am happy with my purchase. I also go a flash but forgot to buy many AA batteries. I never realized how quickly flashes use up battery life, ha! I’m glad I have it and learning to use it before the show tomorrow.
I reached out to Michele to just run over logistics and set the production schedule. She asked me to be there 3 hours before doors opened. I know I’m going to get some good day shots of her setting up seating, vending, food and bar, and the toy trucks that will be on display and for sale at the show! Looking forward to it.
Oct 15, 2020
Production day, Day of Show!
Today is production day, I will be making my way shortly to Artel in Brooklyn. Same city… an hour on the train(s).
Oct 16, 2020
Post Production, and Editing
Pretty disappointed in myself for these DAMN AA BATTERIES FAILING ON ME!!!! Nonetheless, I did without a flash and utilized what lighting was available. The shots have a very vintage feel to them, so I’m rolling with it!
Today, and over the next couple of days, I’ll be editing the photos. I feel bad for my other projects going on, but I love the idea of stopping on one project to work on another for a bit, then just swinging right back to the other pieces I have going on. I like to break up the monotony.
Oct 19, 2020
Photos have been touched, and video is being worked on in Premiere Pro CC. I’m very happy that I’m getting the hang of the software, thanks to YouTube Tutorials and Premiere People!
Oct 24, 2020
Falling off track a bit. I’m blaming it on being “overwhelmed,” but we all know I know the busy. Nah…. I’m just getting sad. I’ll come off it when I come off it. Till then, I’m losing sleep watching and learning about the new equipment I’ve purchased to make my documentary photos and videos crips and clean. I’ve also been looking into vintage cameras and film and maybe I’ll start using that equipment soon! Meh… I’ll consider it when I have more money. :)
Oct 27, 2020
Whatever I have been working on, with Unfamous, I just threw it away. I probably spent about 20 hours on this terrible intro to welcome in Michele and (what I’ve come to call the docu) “My Right Hand Man.” I deleted the whole thing and I’m not even looking back. I ripped off the rearview.
I’m slowly coming off this stupid sadness/depression too. I feel myself picking it back up, but it’s coming slowly. I want to find more out about Unfamous but there isn’t a lot written or spoken about. I’m talking about it on some real levels, now. I want the gritty, that ‘how I did this, how I got here…” I think I can do more. I think I should record more. I think I’m going to reach out to Michele and see if I can get her to sit in front of a camera, replay some of the moments from the show, and have her discuss it with me. I don’t want this to be an interview… maybe a tell-all of some sort. A tell-all of how the hell you got the gulls to pop up with an all-women’s lineup as your first show coming back from a pandemic caused economic lockdown, and lockdown of the arts. Yeah… that’s what I’ll do.
2021
Michele reached out to me after some time to invite me to exhibit and discuss my art in a virtual show with Queen College.