rootbound
winter newsletter • february 28th, 2021
rüt-baūnd - having roots formed into a dense, tangled mass that allows little or no space for further growth. these plants have a natural tendency to become root-bound, with their roots growing in a spiraling mass.
rootbound is an ever-growing concept—currently, rootbound acts as a digital space for black queer people, but we hope to expand into a physical space within the next few years. this seasonal newsletter serves as an introduction to who we are: a black queer organization that centers black life, art, relations, and issues at the forefront.
winter 2021
Room 25
welcome to our seasonal newsletter! winter—cozy! we hope you enjoy our specially curated winter newsletter that features a host of music, art, and writings by black people. if you like us, be sure to spread the word to others and we look forward to connecting again with you for our next seasonal newsletter.
Adesewa Adekoya
artist's spotlight
For rootbound’s spotlighted artist series, we had the opportunity to enter the world of Adekoya and learn about her process and what art means to her.
I want others to see themselves in my work when they can't see themselves in much else.
Savage X
Telephone
Adesewa Adekoya (she/her/hers), a NigerianAmerican illustrator based in New York, explores black fantasy. With a quick look on her website, one is immediately transferred to a vibrant world where black people take center stage—a world where black people are celebrated, embraced in ethereal and fantastical scenes, and shown in all their beauty. And to look critically at the work of Adekoya is to recognize the continuation of tradition—it is clear that Adekoya is a visionary deeply rooted in tradition. Her work has elements that can only be captured through a foundational understanding of the artists that came before her, while also interweaving something new that sets her apart as one that will be studied by future generations. But for her, she only wishes to “inspire other black creatives that come after her” such as those she looked up to have inspired her.
Q: Lockdown has changed what most of our everyday lives look like. Has Covid & lockdown changed your creative process or relationship with your art in any way? A: I think Covid has given me a more intimate relationship with my art. Every day I wake up without the interruption of the outside world to interfere with my inspiration. I think now I am constantly confronted with the things that inspire me and that makes the creative process easier and less judgemental. Q: Where do you draw inspiration from? A: I draw inspiration from black spaces and how I want to elevate them. I grew up with black beauty around me constantly and love to reflect on it in my work. Subjects of black beauty, glamour, identity, and selfreflection occur in my work.
Untitled
Q: What does your process look like? And what part of it do you enjoy the most? A: My process involves me looking through Pinterest or Instagram for some inspiration. I usually like taking elements from all different images and creating my own drawing from them. Sometimes I create mood boards or I draw inspiration from artists ahead of me or from my own life experiences. Q: What does your work mean to you & what would you want others to learn from your work? A: My work holds in my personal frustrations, frustrations I’ve had with myself and the world around me. I want it to be a big hug to my past self and almost like a journal for my current self. I want people to learn the existence of dark skin and the beauty it holds. I want others to see themselves in my work when they can't see themselves in much else.
Melody's Magic
you can follow Adesewa @blk.indigo on Instagram and see more of her work on her portfolio!
nook
a collection of poetry, film & video, fiction & non-fiction pieces that we love.
Reaping What We Sow: A Conversation with Pulitzer Prize Winner Alice Walker video discussion
“Image Conscious” - essay by Jasmine Sanders on the Black Romantic
"Girl" - fiction by Jamaica Kincaid
"The Truth That Never Hurts: Writings on Race, Gender and Freedom" - excerpt from essay by Barbara Smith (p. 135 - 150 in PDF, or p. 122 - 127 in text)
"7 Scenes with Aunties" - discussion and video by K’eurgo Macharia
“Radicalising Feminism” - essay by Joy James
“Feast” - fiction by Dantiel W. Moniz
“Guanahani, 11” - poem by Kamau Brathwaite
“what the angels eat” - poem by Tyree Daye
“Heirlooms” - fiction excerpt by Bryan Washington
“Who Cares What Straight People Think?” - essay by Brandon Taylor
music songs to add to your playlists and playlists to enjoy! i! gits! weary!! - keiyaA
no kink in the wire - cosha
same size shoe - serpetnwithfeet
you the one fish in the sea - liv.e
creator's playlists & listening instructions ✰
｡･:*:･ﾟinmyheeeaaaad ★｡･:*:･✰ by keza
this playlist serves as some form of documentation of the silly, confused, avoidant, chaos that i've been feeling this season - unintentionally cohesive at times but really above all a journal of what's been in my heeaaad these past few months. not much order for songs so press shuffle & enjoy!
burrrr by angel press play and get to grooving! the playlist features songs that brought me the most comfort this winter season. hope you can discover some new songs and revisit some old ones, too. let me know what you think and enjoy!
what's going on (domestically + internationally)
featured GoFundMe's Desi: Help a Black Trans Woman Relocate Atlanta Homeless Black Trans Women Fund Alicia: Help a Black Trans Woman Secure Housing Help BlackWomxmExhale Expand their releif organization LGBT Rights Ghana Community Support Fund
Millions of People in Texas Are Still Without Power—Here’s How You Can Help - article by Kara Jillian Brown
Support orgs that aid BIPOC affected by Texas power crisis
Help a Disabled Black Trans Woman Survive Through Covid
Haitians Are at an Impasse Over the Country’s Future article by Edwidge Danticat
rootbound vday fundraiser our vday art fundraiser will be extended until march 7th! proceeds will be donated to @forthegworls - an organization that helps black trans individuals with rent and gender-affirming surgery costs. thank you so much to those who have purchased or boosted so far! we appreciate it
♡
refrences newsletter cover Chioma Ebinama - penumbra 13
nook covers Girl: Betye Saar - Black Girl's Window The Truth That Never Hurts: Zanele Muholi - Apinda and Ayanda Reaping What We Sow: Ambroise Ngaimoko - Deux Jolies Filles a la Coiffure Image Conscious: Faith Ringgold - Groovin' High 7 Scenes with Aunties: Cornelius Annor - A Night in 1957 Feast: Billy Mandindi - Reproduction what the angels eat: Simmie Knox - Still Life Heirloom: Basquiat - Boxer Rebellion Radicalising Feminism: Chidinma Nnoli - Sisterhood I Guanahani, 11: David Uzochukwu - Pluton - Ignite Who Cares What Straight People Think: Zandile Tshabala - Self Check
music covers: keza playlist cover - pls shut up! by keza ruranga thank you so much for joining us! watch out for updates on our instagram account & for release dates for upcoming zines, newsletters & more. we would love to hear what you have been reading, watching, and listening to! feel free to submit your recommendations or your own art here! follow us on IG! @r.ootbound
&
creators: illustrations by keza ruranga
angel (they/them)
keza (she/her)