Originaly Monthly: A Curated December
reviews and recommendations for literature, art, and fashion.
So,
There are a lot of new faces here so I briefly want to say hi (hi!). My name’s Alyssa, I’m a writer with a penchant for everything that can be considered art.
The purpose of this newsletter, and publication as a whole, is to make discussions around the fine arts less intimidating –and a little less gatekept. Being educated in the humanities is so important because it allows us to have productive conversations about global and social issues, being open minded to new ideas, and allows us to think critically. Art is in everything so why can’t it be for everyone?
Now that we’re on the same page, Originaly Monthly is a monthly letter that will contain curated recommendations for art, fashion, literature, and culture –this will be released at the beginning of each month. Occasionally there might be lifestyle related content, but it’s not going to be a priority —unless I think something is worth a mention.
I’m starting off small with December’s recommendations, but I hope you still enjoy this.
Love,
Alyssa
༺ Art for the Gallery Girls & Hoppers ༻
Artist Highlight
Danielle McKinney, born in Alabama and now residing in New Jersey, is a visual reprieve from responsibility. Through her warm yet muted color palette, McKinney evokes a feeling of ease from the world, as her subjects are black women shown in positions that indicate tiredness or deep contemplation. Her women are these languid bodies getting much needed rest, which is not something commonly seen in portraitures depicting black women.
Fritz Von Eric is an NYC based painter that hails from the great state of Texas. Although playful in nature, his portfolio is a meditation on human connection, family, queerness, and blackness. His most recent works are black women being depicted living lives of luxury and leisure, which acts as a commentary on race and class.
Edinburgh based painter Whyn Lewis almost only draws Whippets. Her work rarely strays from a cool toned palette, creating detailed stills against plain backgrounds. Simplicity is key for her as she relies on strong lines to create a layered depth in her work.
Global Art Exhibit Highlights
Artground Gallery: Transmissions - London, England
Artists Fiona Berry, Maya Gurung-Russell Campbell, Fergus Polglase, Daniel Kerrison Stock, and Maddalena Zadra works, create a story about how the past is inextricably tied with the present by referencing folklore and cultural heritage (respective to each artist). Curated by Betty Sims-Hilditch, Transmissions will be on view from December 4, 2024 to December 8, 2024.
Tunnel: In Plain Sight by Esdras T. Thelusma - Miami, Florida, U.S.A
Thelusma’s solo exhibition is a meditation on humble beginnings and aspirations to leave that life behind –dreams hidden in plain sight. Curated by Reginald O'Neal, this exhibition will be on view from November 30, 2024 to January 5, 2025.
OOA Gallery: AFROVISION: The Art & Fashion Experience - Barcelona, Spain
This two day art event is a showcase of contemporary African art, with themes of identity, culture, class, and human connections. All of the work displayed is created by prominent African artists: Abdias Ngateu, Armand Boua, Boris Anje, Boukaré Bonkoungou, Daniel Onguene, Ebenezer Akinola, Emeka Udemba, Evans Mbugua, Larry Otoo, Marion Boehm, Matthew Eguavoen, Méné, Mederic Turay, Moses Zibor, Oliver Okolo, Oluwole Omofemi, Opeyemi Matthew Olukotun, Prince Galla Gnohité, Rémy Samuz, Simone Brewster, and Vincent de Paul Zoungrana. This exhibition will be on view from December 13, 2024 to December 15, 2024.
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Ames Yavuz: tending the garden - Sydney, Australia
Filipina artist Ayka Go’s solo exhibition is a part of a larger conversation on womanhood. Oil on canvas paintings of paper reminiscent of a vagina, is used to show the delicate nature of the body and the personal journey of healing from past traumas. This exhibition will be on view from November 15, 2024 to December 18, 2024.
Ki Smith Gallery: Friend (A Survey of Op Art & Minimalism) in support of Sentebale - New York, New York, U.S.A
In support of Sentebale’s mission (an organization that focuses on creating sustainable solutions to the health issues, wealth inequality, and climate resilience found in Lesotho and Botswana ), Friend focuses on pop and minimalist art as a means of raising awareness of their efforts. Artists featured in this exhibition are Tadaaki Kuwayama, Agnes Martin, Rakuko Naito, Bridget Riley, Frank Stella, Sang Eun, Richard Hambleton, Alana Dee Haynes, Sono Kuwayama, Dylan Rietz-Cruz, Jorge Luis Rodriguez, and Taiji Terasaki. This exhibit will be on view from December 14, 2024 to January 19, 2025.
༺ Fashion for the Met Gala Couch Critics ༻
Designer Highlight
Phoebe Philo
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If you didn’t know, most you might to be honest, Phoebe Philo started her own clothing line. There hasn’t been much press, yet there’s so much buzz. Philo’s on here because of her ready to wear line. Her robes, coats, jackets, and blouses are what I usually gravitate to when looking at her designs. For as complex as the designs come across, or how difficult the construction of it might be, they don’t read as inconvenient for the wearer. Of course that is her specialty, so I won’t harp on this, but I think for as “statement piece-coded” these clothes are, they really wouldn’t be that much, or at all, a burden to put on in an everyday situation.
Bianca Saunders
Bianca Saunders just gets it right every time with menswear (#womeninmalefields). What piqued my interest with Saunder this time around was her Autumn Winter 2024 collection. Her trousers and jackets feel reminiscent of 90s oversized suit tailoring, which I’ve become a huge fan of. What I enjoyed in particular was the front stitching of the trousers that had a barrel leg silhouette made from cobalt blue wool. Saunders execution is always tasteful, always on point.
Peter Do
Obviously we all heard the news of Peter Do’s departure from Helmut Lang, but that’s not the only reason why he’s being mentioned here. Do’s 2024 Fall Winter for Peter Do was rife with coats —in the best way possible. There were single breasted trenches paired with sheer button downs, exaggerated jackets that swallowed models whole, and open back blazers for a back profile moment. His intentionality with water brush patterns and a neutral palette, with the pop of color being brown, is reflective to the collection’s purpose.
Fashion News Highlights
༺ Literature for the Literati Hotties༻
Book Reviews (TW: brief mentions of SA and suicide)
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin - ⅗ stars
Middle aged woman has a mid-life crisis and begins having an affair with a married woman. It was a fun read but not entirely my cup of tea. Ever since Ottessa Moshfegh blew up for her “unlikable protagonist” novels like My Year of Rest and Relaxation and Homesick for Another World, it feels like everyone is trying to do their own version of it –not their own version of unlikable narrators but their own spin on writing like Moshfegh (and this is unfortunately applicable to this novel). However, there is this conversation on grief, processing loss, and suicide that lingers throughout the novel, but it’s only addressed head on in the last 40 pages.
When The Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen - ⅖ stars
Where to start with this because I’m at a loss for words (derogatory). We follow the story of Mira (she’s black) attending her childhood friend Celine's wedding (she’s white), where her other childhood friend Jesse (he’s black) will also be going, which is taking place on a plantation (that has turned into a theme park of sorts where reenactments of day to day slave life are performed by black employees) in their hometown of Kipsen, North Carolina. In a novel that over explains why racism and discrimination are bad, you’d feel confused too as to why the only characters that know what experiencing racial prejudice is like are constantly being traumatized, and mentally tortured. Then the other characters get quick consequences for their actions. Also, there’s a very rushed romance subplot between Mira and Jesse that could have easily been further developed –or just not included. However, some things that were enjoyable about this book were the use of imagery and onomatopoeia.
DuBliners by James Joyce - 4/5 stars
This was a really interesting read. Joyce serves a collection of 15 short stories that follow themes of childhood and grappling with the rules of adulthood –and being wary of others' intentions. To be honest, I originally bought this book because I had a voucher and it was only $5 upon purchase –so I had no expectations. There’s plenty of witty dialogue that only adds to the story and is always intentional, and the allegories in this are endless.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - 4.5/5 stars
I know, I’m late to the program reading this. Frankenstein follows the story of Victor Frankenstein and his doomed romance of having a thirst for knowledge. Of course the novel isn’t exactly about that, as it does have themes of family and the dangers of being too ambitious. I loved everything, mostly, about this novel.
Poems
I love reading this poem over and over. It’s very straightforward in what it’s about, it’s Seible writing about his first kiss. What I love is how the imagery feels so absurd but perfectly encapsulates what it feels like.
This is something for winter since it is December. Even though I don’t live in a place that snows, this poem kind of gets you in the mood for a “snowy Saturday morning with hot chocolate under warm blankets” feel. It’s a very pretty poem that’s describing a bird hibernating through winter.
We Real Cool by Gwendolyn Brooks
A club classic.
That’s all for now, thank you for reading. Hope you have a nice day and don’t forget to be kind to yourself.
great piece!!!