BY NADIRA JAMERSON

Black entertainment and black arts in L.A. begin at Leimert Park. Leimert Park is just over a mile wide, but it has housed and educated thousands of black families and successful black businesses since the 1960s. Leimert Park is prideful to promote dozens of Black-owned restaurants, Black-owned shops, and several creative spaces. However, it was not until January of 2020 that Leimert Park opened its first fine arts gallery, Aziz Gallerie.

Recently, The African Magazine traveled to Leimert Park to interview Aziz, founder and sole owner of Aziz Gallerie, to talk about his enrichment plans for the community. Aziz is originally from Senegal, but he has been living and working as an artist in Leimert Park and its surrounding areas for 30 years. He was first inspired to open Aziz Gallerie last year after he noticed a lack of art galleries available in predominantly-black neighborhoods.

Aziz explained: “I’ve had the opportunity to show my work around the world and in the U.S., and I noticed that we did not have any galleries in black neighborhoods. We have shops, some framing shops, but no real art galleries. I have been here long enough, and I have never seen a gallery using the model I’m using.” He added: “I want to help new artists connect with people who are at the top of their game, and to provide a space where artists can learn and work.”

Aziz Gallerie opened at a difficult time, just two months before the world was sent into quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was difficult for Aziz to navigate the space during that time, as he was often opening just to have to close again a few weeks later throughout the entirety of last year. However, with support from the community, Aziz Gallerie was able to stay in business, and it has begun to flourish since the start of 2021. Now, in addition to displaying new and established visual artists, Aziz Gallerie also hosts artist talks, and showcases clothes from several Black-owned clothing brands including Baltimore Bag Company and Yayas Hats. Aziz Gallerie is also in the process of beginning print-making classes. According to Aziz, the overall goal of Aziz Gallerie is to produce as many black fine artists as possible.

Aziz said: “I teach print-making. I have two techniques, and most other artists and galleries don’t have the time to teach or they don’t want to because they don’t want to give up their [secrets]. I don’t have that problem. I teach everything I know.”

Aziz said he has noticed the lack of fine arts printing in the black neighborhoods he knows, from Atlanta to California, adding: “I wanted to change that. That’s what I’m hoping for here: to produce enough fine artists. I won’t teach you how to paint, but I can teach you techniques.”

The African Magazine was fortunate enough to visit Aziz Gallerie while they were displaying art from Emmy award-winning cinematographer, photographer, painter, collage artist and professor, John Simmons. Simmons’ photographs were curated by Jupiter June  and Zuhura  assistant curator at Aziz Gallerie, as part of Aziz Gallerie’s Juneteenth display entitled “Chronicles of Our Culture.” The African had the opportunity to speak with Simmons about some of his pieces in the gallery. Simmons specifically highlighted a photograph that he shot in Chicago in 1967 entitled “Xmas Eve.”

Simmons explained the significance of his piece by reflecting on the look the girl gave to her mother. He said: “It almost feels kind of religious, but not a lot of people talk about that picture. I’m always surprised by what people like.”

When asked how he chooses which of his photographs to display, Simmons said: “I feel like as long as a picture is strong enough to exist in a room by itself, then it is a good picture. I also like to be able to look at pictures and imagine where it will be 100 years from now.” The mega-artist added: “What would that say to you when there’s no one around to explain it to you, when everything has changed? That picture becomes a frozen moment in time.”

Simmons’ work was scheduled to be on display at Aziz Gallerie until August 8th. Part of the proceeds from this display will be used to help put on the new artist showcase happening later this year.

Aziz Gallerie is ultimately a place for artistic growth and creative expression. Aziz chooses the artists he will work with based on timing, skill, and shared efforts.

Zuhura, one of the newest assistant curators at Aziz Gallerie, described her experience working there by saying: “You know that saying ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ and I feel like myself being a young artist and a young creative, I now have the ability to be a part of a village here. It’s extra-reassurance that whatever I want to do there are people who will support me as long as I show up and do the work.”