THE RESIDENCY: LONDON LAVENDAR
The Residency is a space living within beSocial aimed to build a bridge between art, community, and culture in the city of Charlotte. This initiative, curated by Carla Aaron-Lopez and Jasmyn D. Brown, gives emerging artists time, space, and resources to grow and network within their creative careers.
Join us as we dive into the work of Charlotte-based collage artist, London Lavendar. Combining Black Americana with traditional intricate Victorian patterns, London aims to challenge what it means to be a Black woman in today's society. London draws the connection between past and present through physical and emotional likeness. Her art touches themes that have no expirations and examines how the world has and continues to view Black women.
Who is London? Tell us about yourself, walk us through your journey to becoming an artist.
I am a mixed-media collage artist based out of Charlotte, born and raised in Minneapolis. I’ve always been a creative person and dabbled in many creative ventures from an early age. After college, I really found my passion for art and interior design and they both became my creative outlet and what I wanted to center my life around.
How would you describe your practice? What is your process?
I actively seek out the untold stories of Black women’s experiences that resonate with me personally. I take great joy in uncovering and exploring these narratives that are often overlooked. While many stories focus on Black pain, my aim is to move beyond that and celebrate a broader spectrum of their experiences. During my creative process, I strive to deeply understand and visualize their lives to portray their emotions and stories as authentically as possible.
What do you think about your journey so far? Where do you see yourself in the future?
I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come and am eager to explore even more. Being part of the creative community in Charlotte keeps me inspired and motivated. I’m excited to challenge myself further as an artist and experiment with new mediums.
Describe your connection with your art and what you’d like the community to take away from it.
My art focuses on celebrating the beauty and positive experiences of Black women. While acknowledging the pain in our history and daily lives, I am to emphasize and highlight our joy. I hope that this sense of joy is what people take away from experiencing my work.
How would younger London see you today?
Little London would be slightly disappointed that I did not become an author as I wrote when I was 8 called “London Goes to London.” Besides that, she would be so proud of the person that she has become and the ability to live as authentically as possible.
What other artists should we know about in your city?
Everyone at BLMRKTCLT. They’ve all been great mentors and leaders in the community.
Join London Lavendar for her first event of The Residency, Charm Your Kicks, a workshop for personalizing your shoes through designing and crafting with unique charms on 9.14 at 3PM.
Don’t miss the opening night of the exhibition, The Residency: London Lavendar, as she displays her work and dives into her journey as an artist at beSocial Charlotte on 9.27 at 6PM.
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