The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) is proud to present, “All Artists Have a Seat at the Table,” a new and innovative art program sponsored by IKEA in celebration of 30 Years of PAFF. Under the direction of PAFF's Art Director, Allohn Agbenya, five esteemed artists are contributing their creativity to revamp an IKEA dining set. The furniture has been transformed into individual pieces of art inspired by the theme: PAFF 30, PAFF Roots. The pieces were previously on display at four IKEA stores throughout Southern California and will be viewable at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, April 21 - May 1st.
Marc Brogdon, Marketing Director for PAFF stated, “One of my favorite African Proverbs says, ‘A tree’s beauty lies in its branches, but its strength lies in its roots.’ Utilizing our artists and IKEA wooden furniture to create powerful artwork is the perfect symbolism of our deep-rooted connection to the community.”
“All Artists Have a Seat at the Table,” is a celebration of PAFF and the artistry showcased over the years. For more than three decades, PAFF has united folks across the diaspora—creating an inspiring platform for the partnership with IKEA. “The dining table is the universal space for gathering, our sustainable and accessible furniture provided the perfect blank slate for the artists to illustrate PAFF’s rich legacy and commitment to bringing people together to share the Black experience.” Kevin Matthews, Regional Marketing Manager at IKEA U.S. shared. “As the leader in life at home, we want to celebrate the importance of home and the role it plays for the many. This work naturally demonstrates our core value of togetherness in a vibrant and unique way.”
“As a curator and art director, I selected artists for the IKEA Project whose works of art present an array of diasporic characteristics that borrow from the broad field that is our celebrated history & traditions,” said Allohn Agbenya, PAFF Art Director. “Africa and her global artistic roots and outreach have been influential on every continent. Rich in texture, proverbial wisdom, beauty, and evolutionary flow.”
Participating Artists:
- Allohn Agbenya (PAFF Art Director)
Allohn Agbenya is a contemporary artist whose roots celebrate the fibers and cultural pride of West Africa and beyond! Born in Ghana, Agbenya now resides in Los Angeles and is the Production Designer for PAFF as well as the Director/Curator for the ArtFest.
- Sandra Zebi
Sandra Zebi is an artist from Sao Paulo, Brazil and came to Los Angeles in 1986, intrigued and inspired by the cultural diversity that the city has to offer.
- Marvin Obasogie Aimiuwu (MOA)
MOA started drawing and painting as a child in Nigeria, studied fine art in college, and has pursued artwork full time since coming to the United States.
- Aziz Diagne
Aziz Diagne is a multi-media artist from Senegal, West Africa. He grew up amid the traditional art forms of his homeland including rock carving, ceramic and wood sculpture, murals, tapestry, and Thiesoise (reverse painting on glass).
- Charles A. Bibbs
A native son of Southern California, Charles Bibbs is an internationally acclaimed artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has made a significant impact on contemporary arts.
The full program for the 30th annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival will take place in person and virtually, April 19 - May 1, in Los Angeles at its flagship venues the Directors Guild of America, Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza.
About IKEA
At IKEA, the vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people by offering well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. Ingka Group (Ingka Holding B.V. and its controlled entities) is one of 12 different groups of companies that own and operate IKEA retail under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. Ingka Group has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Ingka Group is a strategic partner in the IKEA franchise system, operating 389 IKEA stores in 32 countries – including 52 retail locations in the U.S.
For more information on IKEA U.S., see IKEA-USA.com, @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA or IKEAUSA on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.
About the Pan African Film & Arts Festival
Established in 1992 by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), the late Ja'Net DuBois ("Good Times"), and Ayuko Babu (Executive Director), the Pan African Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has remained dedicated to the promotion of Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expression. Every year, hundreds of filmmakers, fine artists, and unique craftspeople from more than 40 countries and six continents converge in Los Angeles to showcase their work. Annually, PAFF showcases more than 190 new high-quality Black films from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the South Pacific, Canada and increasingly, Asia. Most importantly, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has designated PAFF as an official qualifying film festival for live action and animation short films.
PAFF is the largest and most prestigious Black film festival in the U.S. and attracts local, national, and international audiences. It is also one of America's largest Black History Month events.
For more information, please visit https://www.paff.org/seatatthetable
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