{"id":10269,"date":"2021-09-14T12:58:54","date_gmt":"2021-09-14T12:58:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/media-archive.blackartinamerica.com\/?p=10269"},"modified":"2021-09-28T19:19:29","modified_gmt":"2021-09-28T19:19:29","slug":"the-magical-multilayered-singularity-of-ashley-chew","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earthexhibitions.org\/media-archive\/?p=10269","title":{"rendered":"The Magical, Multilayered Singularity of Ashley Chew"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The Magical, Multilayered Singularity of Ashley Chew<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
by D.\u00a0Amari Jackson<\/pre>\r\n
Despite being an artist, activist, model, fashion designer, and writer, 30 year-old Ashley Chew is nonetheless guilty of putting her proverbial eggs in one basket.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just the only life that I\u2019ve known and there still is no plan B,\u201d laughs Chew, promoting her belief that \u201csome people are just born to create. I do believe we can do anything that we put our minds to, but I also believe that some people are just born to do just that. And I think I am one of those people.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
\"\"<\/p>\r\n
Few, if any, would disagree. Over the past decade, Chew\u2019s inspired artistic creations have attracted such partners and clients as Spike Lee, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, Nike, Pharrell, and L\u2019Oreal. She has exhibited and held residencies at venues in New York, Indianapolis, and The Netherlands. Along with being listed one of \u201cThe 26 To Watch Under 26\u201d by PATTERN <\/em>Magazine, Chew was named \u201cArtist of The Week\u201d by Milk Studios, and one of \u201c10 Uplifting Artists To Follow on Instagram\u201d by MyDomaine.<\/p>\r\n
She has written for Vogue<\/em>, Cosmopolitan<\/em>, & Harper\u2019s Bazaar.<\/em> And, in 2015, while attending New York Fashion Week, Chew drew international attention to the lack of opportunities for Black models after grabbing a brush and writing \u201cBlack Models Matter\u201d on a leather handbag. An image with her carrying the bag went viral, as did the impromptu international campaign it launched, shedding light on the inequitable practices of the industry\u2019s powerful fashion brands and institutions.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cI really have an issue with me being one of the darkest people in the room,\u201d stresses Chew, who has a light complexion and green eyes. \u201cI had an issue with me being the point of diversity for some people, and I didn’t think that was fair or safe. And, as an artist, I just painted on my bag and I didn\u2019t think anybody would pay any attention to me.\u201d They did. For at the time, estimates Chew, \u201crunways were less than 10 percent of color\u201d for models. \u201cAnd right now they\u2019re about 47 percent, so it did help. And I\u2019ve been cited in numerous articles for helping that number go up.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
\"\"<\/p>\r\n
But make no mistake, even with all of her inspiring activities\u2014the fashion design, the creative activism, and the modeling\u2014Chew sees it all through the singular lens of the creative process.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cI literally just remember always creating, even as a child,\u201d says the Chicago native who grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. \u201cDifferent family members would get me little art sets and watercolors, markers, and colored pencils. I never remember doing anything else or my parents really getting me anything else,\u201d she acknowledges. \u201cWhen I had Barbies, I would cut up their clothes and make my own outfit for them, and I\u2019d cut up socks and sheets and make outfits,\u201d continues Chew, recounting how \u201cI was never scolded for it. My parents were always supportive, so I was always making things.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
Unlike her parents, educators with no artistic inclinations, Chew\u2019s grandmother, A\u00f1a Chew-Washington, has a degree in fashion design and was also a model and fashion illustrator. Chew-Washington\u2014who Chew regards as her \u201crock of support\u201d and \u201cbest friend still to this day\u201d\u2014eventually quit and settled for a different type of job, as her family wasn\u2019t supportive. \u201cShe\u2019s so supportive and excited for me as an artist because she gets to see the path that she didn\u2019t get to take in fashion and creating,\u201d explains Chew.<\/p>\r\n
\"\"<\/p>\r\n
\u201cShe took it where I couldn\u2019t,\u201d acknowledges Chew-Washington. \u201cI didn\u2019t have anyone to motivate me when I was young.\u201d The proud grandmother rattles off a list of similarities between the two artistic, fashion-oriented women, including March birthdays one day apart. \u201cThe thing I love about her is that Ashley loves helping people. She once went to a shelter there in New York and had her girlfriend do these women\u2019s hair, and she gave them all journals so that they could write what their dreams are and how they would achieve them,\u201d reveals Chew-Washington, adding \u201cthere\u2019s not a lot of young people that would do that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
After attending a fine arts high school where she took art, ballet, and theater, the 20 year-old Chew began parttime modelling for bridal shows, catalogs, and local events in Indianapolis. But it wasn\u2019t until she turned 25 and relocated to New York that the multitalented artist began modelling fulltime. Five years in, Chew is looking toward the future. \u201cPeople age, our looks age, I\u2019m not going to model forever,\u201d she recognizes, clarifying that \u201cI\u2019ve always been an artist. So I\u2019ve been trying to find ways through fashion brand partnerships, illustration, and collaborations to pivot what I have to offer, besides how I look. And I feel like my strength is in my art.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
One such collaboration is Chew\u2019s current engagement with popular international fashion brand, Zadig & Voltaire, and their ongoing ART IS HOPE campaign<\/strong><\/a>. Since May 2020, the philanthropic effort has highlighted the work of numerous arts organizations, raising millions of dollars for them by offering collections of fashionable items designed by emerging and established artists and bearing such slogans as \u201cArt Is Hope\u201d and \u201cArt Is Love.\u201d Chew is one of the latest artists to be added to the inclusion-based campaign which presents custom bags, T-shirts, jackets, and other clothing items.<\/p>\r\n
\u201cAshley is a full-on triple threat: an artist, activist, and a model,\u201d says Ryan Gendron, Head Of Creative for Zadig & Voltaire in North America. \u201cMost of the time when that happens with a person, if they are that multitalented, they will lack a bit in some way, but not with her.\u201d Characterizing Chew as highly-intelligent, super talented, beautiful, and an \u201cincredible\u201d artist, Gendron depicts how his company initially worked with her on a number of custom product store events under the ART IS HOPE umbrella. \u201cShe not only agreed to do them, she absolutely crushed the events,\u201d he reports, noting \u201cthis led me to ask her to be featured on our ART IS HOPE page. She expressed her interest in BAIA as a partner, which obviously made me very happy and seemed like a perfect marriage.\u201d Black Art In America, who Chew followed on social media for several years, was selected to receive a percent of the proceeds from her involvement with ART IS HOPE.<\/p>\r\n
\"\"<\/p>\r\n
These type of high-level collaborations and consistent accolades, combined with her increasing popularity and success, could prompt some to say that Chew is living a dream. At the beginning of her third decade here on earth, the creative wizard has already had a significant impact on the world around her. Largely because of her efforts, New York Fashion Week has included more models of color in their shows and, internationally, the iconic, Paris-based Balenciaga fashion house experienced relevant protests at their 2017-2018 show during Paris Fashion Week. Even more consistent with Chew\u2019s apparent dream, the influential Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) released a statement<\/strong><\/a> to their members encouraging diversity and inclusion in American fashion, excerpted here:<\/p>\r\n
\r\n
\u201cMake no mistake. The American fashion industry\u2014or for that matter, the industry worldwide\u2014has so far struggled to reflect the diversity of its constituents and incorporate the inclusion it requires. It\u2019s crucial for our industry to understand that diversity and inclusion are not a trend, but the way every company should operate\u2026. A long-term meaningful solution needs the support and courage of top leaders who prioritize its enforcement. Leadership and understanding of this will solidify our position as business stewards and creative thinkers, fostering a strong, enticing home to top talent\u2014and a fashion industry for all.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2014<\/strong>CFDA, A Briefing on Diversity & Inclusion in American Fashion<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n
Perhaps, in a way, Chew\u2019s colorful life is<\/em> being lived from a dream. \u201cI\u2019ve been a meditator for the past four years,\u201d she reveals, reporting that \u201cI attended five sessions last week. In meditation, I actually solve a lot of paintings and artistic problems as I can see the painting moving, the parts moving, and the challenges that I need to solve.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
It\u2019s almost as if Chew possesses some sort of magical, Midas-like ability where everything she touches turns to art.<\/p>\r\n
\"\"<\/p>\r\n
\u201cI absolutely believe in magic in a sense that we can create anything,\u201d confirms Chew. \u201cThe fact that everything in our life was someone\u2019s thought<\/em>\u2014everything we wear, sit on, walk through, and travel on. I think that it\u2019s so incredible that it was made possible by someone\u2019s thought, a thought that they turned into action.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
\u201cSo I believe we can create anything,\u201d continues Chew. \u201cI believe that we create our own magic and that we just have to look around at everything in our life and realize that it came from nothing<\/em>, from someone\u2019s very thought and collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d reiterates Chew. \u201cI do believe in magic.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
\"\"<\/a>
Browse and shop for fine art from our growing network of artists, collectors, estates, galleries — specializing in works by Black American artists with great values on premier art.<\/p><\/div>\r\n
START COLLECTING ART<\/span><\/h1>\r\n
Sign up for our\u00a0free\u00a0email course<\/u><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>on how to begin your collection.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/b>AMARI JACKSON is a creator, author, TV\/web\/film producer, and award-winning journalist. He is author of the 2011 novel,\u00a0The Savion Sequence<\/i>; creator\/writer\/coproducer of the 2012-2014 web series The Book Look<\/i>; writer\/coproducer of the 2016 film Edge of the Pier<\/i>; and current writer\/coproducer of Listen Up!<\/i> on HBCU GO\/Roku TV. He is a former Chief of Staff for a NJ State Senator; a former VP of Communications & Development for the Jamestown Project at Harvard University; and a recipient of several writing fellowships including the George Washington Williams Fellowship from the Independent Press Association. An active ghost writer, song writer, martial artist, and journalist, his writings have appeared in a wide variety of national and regional publications.
<\/b><\/p>\r\n
Would you buy stock in BAIA if you could? Well we invite you to join us in becoming a monthly supporter, starting at just $3 a month\u00a0YOU<\/b> become a stakeholder and begin to help us transform lives through art. We are growing the BAIA team and will use your contributions to hire more team members for the purpose of creating more educational and marketing resources for schools and universities about african american artists both past and present. Such art initiatives and educational programming like Blacklite with Steve Prince, Relating to Art with Dr. Kelli Morgan, and BAIA BITS would not be possible without the ongoing support of our Patreon members. Please consider becoming a monthly Patreon member today!
\u200b
Review our list of rewards for becoming a BAIA\u00a0Patreon<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\/ patron supporter. Your monthly contribution has lasting benefits. \u2014 \u201cWhat will your legacy be\u201d \u2013 Dr. Margaret Burroughs<\/p>\r\n
Thank you new and recurring monthly<\/span> Patrons<\/h1>\r\n
Deloris and Eddie Young<\/b>,\u00a0<\/b>Esther Silver-Parker<\/b>,\u00a0<\/b>Eugene Foney<\/b>,\u00a0<\/b>Zadig & Voltaire, Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art<\/b>, John and Melanie Guess, Frank Frazier, Houston Museum of African American Culture, Leslie Fields, Jim Nixon, Dr. Michael Butler, Mary \u201cMadea\u201d Jones,\u00a0<\/b>Patrick Stewart, Noreen Winningham, Reg Pugh, Kevin Smokler, Deborah R. Moore, Dr. Skyller Walkes, Jae M, Jocelyne Lamour, Marion Zweig, Shannon DeVaney, Ashlee Jacob, DaNia Childress,\u00a0Rev. Anita Marshall<\/strong>, Mary Ali-Masai, Devera Redmond, Roslyn Valentine, Robin King, Brenda Larnell, Michael, Jeffery Washington, Tricia Konan, Debra L Lacy CHARLES BIBBS, Fredric Isler,\u00a0Silvia Peters<\/strong>,\u00a0 Harold Moore, Shurvon Haynes K.Coleman Shannon Dale Davis Terese L Hawkins M. Rasheed Jamal Love Annette,\u00a0Mason Archie<\/strong>, Manuelita Brown,\u00a0Carolyn L. Mazloomi<\/b>\u00a0 Gale Ross KL Martin michael jacobs Virginia Joy Simmons Christ Van Loan Sr. Cecilia Winters-Morris, Rosie Gordon-Wallace, Pearlie Taylor,\u00a0Danny Jenkins<\/strong>, Sara, Lloyd Goode, Marina Kovic, Sarah Rooney, Mitchell Shohet, Nicole Farley, Cheryl B Blankman, Jocelyn Greene, Laura Di Piazza Petrina Burkard Hannah Diener Sarah Drury Claire Sig Mina Silva Whitney, Sara Friesen, Megan LaCroix, Kellyn Maguire, Sophia Bellin,o Cory Huff, Wilhelmina Barker, Linda Eaddy, Shelley Danzy, Rosalyn D. Elder, Sonia Spencer Karen Pinzolo Desiree Dansan, Deborah Paige-Jackson, ALKEBU LAN IMAGES Bookstore DeLores M Dyer, Shelia, Harry F Banks, Susan Ross, Dr. Diane R. Miles, Carlton Cotton, Andre Mitchell, Joan L. Ward, JOCELYN BENITA SMITH,\u00a0Paul Robinson<\/b>, Janice Orr, Patricia D Dungy, Ethnie Weekes, Shawn Rhea, Duke Windsor, Runez M Bender, Karen Y House, M Belinda Tucker, Dr. Yonette Thomas, Diana Shannon Young, Judith Hamilton, Julia Turner Lowe, Francene Greene, Caryliss R. Weaver, Sharmon Jane Hilfinger, Bill and Deborah Nix, joyce a, Wanda Baker-Smith, Timothy Gandley, Anneke Schwob, Emily M, Rachael horner, Morris Howard, Marie L Johnson, Ayoka Chenzira, Jean Gumpper, Caitlin Charles, Becca H,.\u00a0Dr. Darlene White,<\/b>\u00a0Dr. Sandra Boyce Broomes, Michele C. Mayes,\u00a0<\/b>Rita Crittenden, Reginald Laurent, Jea Delsarte, Brenda Brooks, Suzette Renwick,\u00a0BEVERLY GRANT,<\/b>\u00a0Linda B. Smith, Judith Bergeron, Emily Hegeman Cavanagh, Teri L Lewis, Cooky Goldblatt, Danni Cerezo, Hollis Turner, cdixon06, Freda Davis, Sarah Caputo, jacki rust, Curtis Morrow, Christina Levine, Jessica Beckstrom, Kim Walker, Pamela Hart,\u00a0Ted Ellis,<\/b>\u00a0Louise berner-holmberg, Carla Sonheim, Nicole Bruce, Alison Deas, Monikapi, Ashley Littlefield,\u00a0Reginald Browne\u00a0<\/b>Bill Cook, SylviaWong Lewis, DONNA PAXTON, Kanika Marshall, Cheyenne, Nancy Maignan, Kimberly Smith, Tracy Russ, Gwen Meharg, K Joy Peters, johnnie mae maberry, Lester Marks, Zishan Evans, Anne king, Dianna A. Harris, Arbrie Griffin Bradley, Sandra Sautner,\u00a0Barbara Brown<\/b>, Bronwen Hodgkinson,\u00a0Sonia Deane,<\/b>\u00a0January Hoskin, Quinton Foreman, Key Mosley, Jim Alexander, Terri Pease, Annette Groschke, Richard MacMillan, D T Ray, Camille, Elayne Gross, Ann Tankersley, Samori Augusto, Karen M Hirsch, Jeanne H Chaney, Jacqueline Konan, Jerome Moore, Patricia Andrews-Keenan, India Still, Luna Cascade, Amy Peck, Marnese Barksdale, Elder Bridgette, Ren\u00e9 McCullough, Kevin and Tracy Burton, Raven Burnes, Kim Dubois, Edwina King Diva E, Charlotte Bender,\u00a0Phyllis Stephens,<\/b>\u00a0Alisa R Elliot, Ebony English, Otto Neals, Michael Nix, Terri Bowles, Nelly Maynard, Leslie Smith, Bernard W. Kinsey, Toby Sisson, Raynard Hall, Milton Loupe, Wren Mckinley, Arturo Lindsay, Lindiwe Stovall Lester, Phil,\u00a0Ricki Carroll,\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 Sherman E Jackson Jr, Janine P Rouson, Raynard Hall, Vickie Townsend-Carter, Peter Prinz, PB Fine Art Appraisal, Alison Woods, Suzette Davis, Carlton Cotton, Art Now After Hours, Diane E Leifheit, Tamara clements, \u00a0lisa tomlinson, vince leal, Deborah BarnwellGarr, Sonia Pollard, Barbara Hayes, Loretta Y Blakely, Gregg Y, Paige Jernigan, Randy McAnulty, raven walthor, Will Johnson, jack, Shameika Ingram, Trina Virginia Brooks, Black Wall Street Gallery, Suzanne Roberts, Faye Edwards, Tara,\u00a0<\/p>\r\n
 <\/p>\r\n
\"\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n
We Appreciate Your Support<\/p>
Share this:<\/h3>