Darold Brown — known to the world as Ferg — grew up watching his father build a business, a brand, and a community from the basements of Harlem. In this episode, musician, and all around artist, Ferg reflects on his upbringing in Harlem, the deep influence of his late father’s entrepreneurial spirit, and the world-building ambition that now drives everything he does. From learning to paint on T-shirts in his father’s silk-screen operation to navigating the leap from fashion dreams to rap star...
May 18
25 min
Manyaku Mashilo began as a drawer—using pencil to mimic texture, memory, and feeling—long before painting became her primary language. In this episode, visual artist Manyaku Mashilo reflects on her evolution from fashion design into a multidisciplinary practice rooted in painting, mark-making, and storytelling. Her work moves through texture, memory, and color—building intimate, emotional worlds that center Black womanhood, spirituality, and ancestral lineage. But this isn’t just a conv...
Apr 29
31 min
Demetrius Wilson describes painting as a living exchange—where the canvas responds, shifts, and ultimately becomes something greater than he first imagined. In this episode, abstract painter Demetrius Wilson reflects on his second solo exhibition at Half Gallery and the evolution of a practice rooted in intuition, movement, and material dialogue. Working at the intersection of environment, memory, and abstraction, Wilson explores how color, scale, and gesture can evoke both personal and...
Apr 12
22 min
Lyndon J. Barrois, Sr began creating art from discarded chewing gum wrappers when he was 10 years old. In this episode, award‑winning animator and visual‑effects artist Lyndon J. Barrois, Sr discusses his latest exhibition, his most ambitious project to date, the groundbreaking show - Futbol is Life: Animated Sportraits on view at the LACMA through mid July 2026. Iconic moments from both women’s and men’s soccer are staged as both spectacle and social record, pairing the “beautiful game...
Mar 29
24 min
On this episode, Leo Iheagwam aka Soldier, the London-based painter-sculptor who rose to prominence in the art and skate scene of Lagos, Nigeria and London, discusses his first digital curation, Future Tense presented with myma.art. Soldier has emerged as one of the strongest voices is shaping the new African creative landscape in recent years. In 2025, Soldier was selected as a finalist for the Arte Laguna prize. The Arte Laguna Prize is one of Italy’s most established international ar...
Mar 15
19 min
On this episode I’m joined by Lindsay Adams and Caitlin Berry as we discuss Lindsay's latest exhibition at the Irene and Richard Frary Gallery at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center. Ceremony brings newly created paintings and drawings into conversation with archival materials and previously unseen ephemera from Johns Hopkins special collections. Lindsay reflects on how her background in international studies and anthropology shapes a multi-lens approach and attention to inter...
Mar 1
32 min
Welcome to Season 6 of Light Work Presents: Everything is Connected. This year, we're releasing bigger episodes, recording more episodes, and deepening conversations at the intersection of art, education, and culture. More artists and more art. More impactful conversations on art and culture. Exclusive resources, BTS footage of my travels and insights into the international art world and more! I've just launched our my Substack and if you like my work consider showin...
Mar 1
1 min
On this episode I’m joined by Bisa Butler. We discuss her pivot from painting to quilting, what it was like for her to study at an HBCU, she earned her BFA in Painting at Howard University, how that experience shaped her and what she hopes her work does in the world. Bisa talks about her recent exhibition Hold Me Close that was previously on view at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in LA. Bisa Butler (b. 1973) lives and works in New Jersey. She earned her BFA in Painting at Howard University and holds ...
Dec 17, 2025
49 min
On this episode I’m joined by Rashaad Newsome as we discuss his film Assembly. The documentary details the personal journey and events that inspired his 2022 Park Avenue Armory installation. I was fortunate to attend a final performance, thanks to my ARTNOIR family, and was captivated by Rashaad's immersive world. Shoutout to ART NOIR! I especially loved the dances and spoken word segments, which highlighted the participatory nature of his work. The film honestly reveals how compelling person...
Dec 10, 2025
28 min
On this episode I’m joined by Salome Asega. Salome and I discuss her journey from working at the Ford Foundation to returning to a more intimate engagement with artists at New Inc. We cover the importance of alternative spaces for artists, how New Inc supports interdisciplinary creators, and the impact of geopolitical tensions on creative communities. And the significance of teaching, community, and place-based work, emphasizing the need for genuine engagement and collaboration. ...
Nov 20, 2025
21 min
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