Building an Art Collection that Reflects My Values with Winnie Byanyima

02/08/24 • 75 min

I am thrilled to kick off Season Two with Winnie Byanyima! She is widely recognised for her tireless advocacy for social justice and gender equality. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of UNAIDS.

We shift focus from her professional endeavours to explore one of her deepest passions – art. For the first time, Winnie opens up about her profound love for art and building her remarkable collection. She recounts her initial encounters with art, underscoring its role in expressing her African identity. Winnie tells me about unlearning Eurocentric notions about art and the notable artists represented in her collection. She leaves us with invaluable advice about collecting art.

Host: Siima Itabaaza

Editing: Wana Benjamin

Newsletter: https://kutimbawithsiima.substack.com/

Email: [email protected]

IG: @kutimbawithsiima

Host: Siima Itabaaza

Editing: Wana Benjamin

Newsletter: https://kutimbawithsiima.substack.com/

Email: [email protected]

IG: @kutimbawithsiima

Previous Episode

On the 'Grandma Rule', Hyper-masculinity in food and the Delights of plant-based cooking with Alicia Kennedy

In the season finale, I am joined by Alicia Kennedy, a food and culture writer from New York. She is the creator of From The Desk of Alicia Kennedy , a weekly newsletter covering food culture, media, and politics. Alicia's first book, titled No Meat Required: The Cultural History and Culinary Future of Plant-Based Eating , was released in August 2023.

During our discussion, we dissect On the 'Grandma Rule, a newsletter edition in which Alicia utilises the late chef Anthony Bourdain’s concept of the Grandma Rule to explore topics such as culinary tourism, food media, and personal choices regarding food.

Alicia and I delve into navigating projections from omnivores, abstaining from cooking as a form of protest against patriarchy, the ways plant-based eating has enhanced her culinary skills, and the prevailing dominance of restaurant chefs as arbiters of food trends.

Next Episode

How Gospel Music Influenced Brandy's "Full Moon" album with Mel Smith

This year marks the 22nd anniversary of Brandy's iconic album, Full Moon ,! Her mesmerizing vocal runs and innovative vocal stacking on the album revolutionized vocal arrangement, earning her the moniker, "The Vocal Bible."

I'm joined by award-winning songwriter, producer, culture journalist, music historian, and music executive, Mel Smith, to delve into the influence of gospel music on both the vocals and production of Full Moon. We discuss how gospel singer Kim Burrell's Everlasting Life album impacted Brandy's vocal evolution and expanded her vocal range. Additionally, we explore how producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, incorporates elements from the church into the album's production, the pivotal role of LaShawn Daniels in the vocal production process, and how Full Moon transformed the gospel music genre. Lastly, we talk about why Full Moon is an afro-futuristic work.

Host: Siima Itabaaza

Guest: Mel Smith

Newsletter: https://kutimbawithsiima.substack.com/

Email: [email protected]

IG: @kutimbawithsiima