WHO:
Upendo Taylor is a graphic designer /painter with roots in street art and
skate culture. Using hand drawn skills along with current computer design
applications, Upendo has developed an original design aesthetic. Pulling
inspiration from his lifestyle, street culture, fashion, music and dialogue with
close friends he continues to explore his endless passion for art and design.
His work has opened opportunities to work with some of the top consumer
brands like World Industries Skateboards, Akademics, Burton and Guess to
industry icons like Gatorade, Columbia/ Sony Records,VH1 and Raphael Saadiq.

While cultivating his passion for art and design, Upendo has also kept busy with
developing and co-owning an apparel brand “Leroy Jenkins”. Established in 2005
Leroy Jenkins has built a global audience and a cache of taste makers that allow
the brand to be recognized for its avant garde fashion design.

Upendo continues to build his network as a skilled artist in the art/ design industry
and urban renewal.

WHAT:
This exhibition presents Upendo Taylor featuring a series entitled “Hood Bazaar”.

“Hood Bazaar” is a culmination of images that represent the balance of ghetto
life juxtaposed with an elite lifestyle of artists, fashionistas and so called clever
thinkers. It serves as a reflection of Upendo’s experiences as a young boy growing
up in the “hood” and being exposed to a Hollywood lifestyle that was distant in the
minds of so many ghetto youth. These iconic experiences has led his artwork today
to reflect this balance that he still encounters in his everyday life.

In conjunction with “Hood Bazaar”, Columbia recording artist Raphael Saadiq will
host a premiere screening of his new music video,”Staying In Love”. Upendo Taylor
and Raphael Saadiq have worked on numerous projects together and continue to
build a creative relationship fostering the arts and inspiring others visually and
musically worldwide.

WHEN:
November 13, 2009

WHERE:
Niche.LA Video Art
453 S. Spring St. #443
Los Angeles, CA 90013

LINKS:
http://thablackrayon.blogspot.com/
http://leroyjenkinslimited.com/
http://www.formatmag.com/blogs/leroyjenkinsltd/raphael-saadiq-presents-upendo-leroy-jenkins-tone/