Coming Back Into Balance with Cedric Umoja

In this episode Cedric and I discuss the power of alchemy and how we as artists can perform visual alchemy within our work. We discuss Cedric's creative process and how he is influenced by graffiti culture and ritual.  During our dialogue we talk about our current cultural condition of polarization, and how art and artists alike can help guide us back into a sense of balance.  Cedric also shares about his experience with plant medicine and the importance of those experiences in his life.    ----------------- http://www.cedricumoja.com/ https://www.instagram.com/umojaizm/?hl=en Cedric Umoja is a Columbia, S.C. based multidisciplinary artist who seeks to enact alchemical change through the use of letter forms, found materials and archetypal totems. Umoja bridges ancient and future in his drawings, paintings, murals, sculptures, film, installation work and performance.  His influences include Dondi White, Betye Saar, Max Beckmann, Rammellezee, Sun Ra and Jack Whitten. Umoja attended the Art Institute of Atlanta, he later apprenticed under Yale MFA and veteran fine artist, Tony Cacalano. He gained the gift of Tony's tutelage under Jack Tworkov, one of the founders of the famed New York School. Umoja's work features elements of Post Graffiti, Post Expressionism, Afro-Surrealism, Afrofuturism, Modern art and African art. He has exhibited work in museums and galleries in the South, South East and Mid West regions of the US.  Umoia has collaborated with and been commissioned by Cirque Du Soleil, Lu Lu Lemon, The Watering Hole, University of South Carolina, The City of Charleston, Moja Arts festival, Columbia Museum of Art. See More from Martin Benson *To stay up on releases and content surrounding the show check out my instagram *To contribute to the creation of this show, along with access to other exclusive content, consider joining my Patreon! Credits: Big Thanks to Matthew Blankenship of The Sometimes Island  for the podcast theme music!