Editor-in-Chief
Crystal Chambers
Submissions/Editing
Anoushka Gupta & Grace Northrup
Layout Design
Yuan Liu
Art Jessie Jiang
Marketing Chelsea Hettigama
Administration Luxman Nirumalan
FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS
Anonymous
Yuzuko
Crystal Chambers
Jessie Jiang
Remy Sremcevic
Yuan Liu
Our zine is all about talent and creativity, so it just made sense to explore a famous time period of talent and creativity. Add Black History month into the mix and we have our theme…
The Harlem Renaissance was a large cultural movement of music, dance, art, fashion, literature, theater and politics in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, spanning the 1920s1930s. It birthed many African-American & Caribbean-American creatives, who went on to influence countless artists and writers over the years.
You may have even come across some impacts of this era in your everyday life, whether that’s learning one of your favourite artists performed at the Cotton Club (Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, etc), seeing how Aaron Douglas’ unique art style inspires animators of our time (ex. “Almost There” scene from The Princess and the Frog - 2009), or noticing that the blazer in your closet is beginning to look like part of a zoot suit.
It’s not possible to showcase the entire era in these pages, so we opted for a snapshot view based on your interests. As the cover hints, music was what our contributors were drawn to the most. Inside you’ll find a jazzy jukebox, art covers based on tunes from the period, takes on popular art styles from the time and even some poems from famous writers.
The goal of this issue was to explore a celebration of black culture and its influences on society!
Cue the lights and let’s start the show,
Crystal Chambers Editor-In-Chief.
Harlem Renaissance Spotify Playlist by the WatIsZine? Team
Your World by Georgia Douglas Johnson
Crazy Blues, Mamie Smith by Anonymous
Untitled by Yuzuko
Juke Box Love Song by Langston Hughes
Aaron Douglas Artwork Gallery
Common Dust by Georgia Douglas Johnson
Album Cover Art Challenge by the WatIsZine? Art Team
WIP Pages from the WatIsZine? Art Team
Credits & Contributors
By Anonymous
Mamie Smith made headlines as the first African American artist to record a Blues song with 'Crazy Blues’ in 1920.
Yuzuko talks about this being their first time trying this era’s art style. They mainly found inspiration from Aaron Douglas who was one of the most prominent muralists and illustrators of the era. His works combined art deco, cubism and historical African art to depict both celebrations and struggles. His unique rhythmic style became a signature of the era and went on to inspire many more just like Yuzuko.
Yuzuko started her digital art journey during the pandemic and loves using it as a mechanism to destress and stay focused during class :P She draws inspiration from her favourite tv shows, musicians, and fellow artists and aims to develop a distinct art style along the way. Follow along on her journey @yuzukoart on Instagram!
Gradient Background by MagicPattern
https://unsplash.com/photos/4fF44tm4hpM
Gradient Background by Nicholas Ergemla
https://unsplash.com/photos/NIZvtxMVjWk
Aaron Douglas’art on Wikiart
https://www.wikiart.org/en/aaron-douglas
https://www.wikiart.org/en/aaron-douglas/congo-1928
https://www.wikiart.org/en/aaron-douglas/song-of-the-towers1934
https://www.wikiart.org/en/aaron-douglas/building-more-state ly-mansions-1944
Issue 27
February 2023
