Iona Rozeal Brown is a contemporary African-American painter influenced by mythology, Octavia Butler, Black culture, hip-hop and Japanese ganguro culture (literally translated as “black face”). Brown first learned about the ganguro while studying painting at the San Francisco Art Institute in the late 1990’s. Later she traveled in Japan, where she met members of the ganguro tribe and was shocked to discover the depth of their fascination with black youth culture. The experience left her with many unresolved questions and inspired a new body of work.
Peep Iona speaking about her work and influences HERE on vimeo.
