Category Archives: 2010s

Book Review–Bill Cunningham: On the Street

Posted on January 13, 2022 by Lynn

Bill Cunningham, the famous fashion photographer, liked to claim that he wasn’t a photographer at all.  Instead he was a columnist who wrote with pictures.  There is something to this statement.  The story goes that he first documented what he … Continue reading →

Posted in 1970s, 1980s, 1990, 2000s, 2010s | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The Birmingham Project of Dawoud Bey

Posted on June 27, 2021 by Lynn

The Whitney Museum in New York City is currently showing the work of Dawoud Bey, an African American photographer with an inclusive eye.  One of his most inventive works is the Birmingham Project of 2012, commemorating 50 years since the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s, 2010s | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Aminah Robinson–Life into Art

Posted on February 27, 2021 by Lynn

This stunning piece is a good introduction into the work of Columbus, Ohio artist Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson (1940-2015).  Using the materials of daily life—paper, pencils, fabric, trim, and buttons, she creates stunning compositions.  The mixed media creation above serves … Continue reading →

Posted in 2000s, 2010s | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Faith Ringgold–Artist Chic

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Lynn

Have you heard the term “art teacher chic”? Well, what about an actual artist? Take a look at this photo of multi-talented Faith Ringgold—painter, quilter, children’s book author and illustrator, writer (and I’m sure the list goes on.)  Her talent … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010s, 2020s, Older Icon | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Book Review: Fashionopolis by Dana Thomas

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Lynn

First the bad news, then the good: that’s the structure of this book.  You can see it in the subtitle—“The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes.” The bad news section of the book, about a fifth of … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010s, General | Tagged | 1 Comment

Book Review—Fear and Clothing: Unbuckling American Style by Cintra Wilson

Posted on October 19, 2019 by Lynn

What happens when a punk-inspired, all-black-wearing Brooklynite undertakes a wide ranging study of American dress?  You end up with a humorous, and often snarky, assessment of Americans’ love of pastels, polyester, and malls.  The book’s big message: break loose from … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010s | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Book Review—This Chair Rocks; A Manifesto against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Lynn

After reading many books about aging, I thought I had narrowed them down to two basic stories: “aging is sad” versus “aging is glorious.”  This Chair Rocks by Ashton Applewhite is something different.  Her basic message is that aging is … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010s | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Black Legends in Blackglama

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Lynn

I never understood the wording of these once ubiquitous ads for mink coats.  The people pictured in the ads were contemporary celebrities—legends in their own time.  To underscore that fact, their names were never mentioned in the photo.  Surely they … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990, 2000s, 2010s | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Wrinkle Positivity

Posted on June 26, 2019 by Lynn

Recently I have been following the “body positivity” movement on blogs and Instagram.  Women who are larger than those depicted in the main stream media (i.e. most of us) are demanding that they be recognized not only as normal, but … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010s, General | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Split Vision on Aging in the New York Times

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Lynn

Last week, the New York Times offered two starkly opposing visions of aging in America.  The optimistic one, which appeared in the “Style” section, celebrated well off older women who had the resources to take excellent care of themselves.  Called … Continue reading →

Posted in 2010s, General | Tagged | 6 Comments