Nikkolas Smith ARTivist statement:

her name is America...
she is, within herself, an abstract canvas...
a frustrating, complex display of emotions and scars...
she does not dream much anymore...
her primary objective is now survival.Nikkolas Smith

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Bio: Nikkolas Smith, a native of Houston, Texas, is a Master of Architecture recipient from Hampton University. After designing theme parks at Walt Disney Imagineering for 11 years, he is now an ARTivist, Concept artist, Children's Books Author, Film Illustrator and Movie poster designer (Black Panther, Soul, Beale Street, Southside With You, Dear White People, Stranger Fruit). He is the author/illustrator of the picture books The Golden Girls of Rio (nominated for an NAACP Image Award) and My Hair Is Poofy And That's Okay.

The latest children's book he has illustrated, World Cup Women features the World Champion USWNT. He is a proud 2016 White House Innovators of Color fellow. His most famous and recognized works focus on Artivism. As an illustrator of color, Nikkolas creates captivating art that can spark important conversations around social justice in today's world and inspire meaningful change. Many of his viral and globally published sketches are included in his latest book Sunday Sketch: The Art of Nikkolas, a visual journey on life and a collection of more than 100 sketches he has done in the last five years.

His works have been featured on TIME Magazine, The New York Times, The WashingtonPost, CNN, Buzzfeed, the Academy of Motion Pictures, The Guardian, ABC, NBC, KCET, NPR, People and many more. His art has been shared on social media by Michelle Obama, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Van Jones, Shaun King, Rihanna, Colin Kaepernick, Janet Jackson, Viola Davis, Jamie Foxx, Erykah Badu, Lupita Nyong'o, Kendrick Lamar, Tracee Ellis Ross, Ava Duvernay, Common, Simone Biles, Miley Cirus, Mark Ruffalo, Amy Schumer and many others. Nikkolas also talks at conferences (TEDxWatts) and schools all over the country, and leads workshops in digital painting character and movie poster and design. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Syed Hassam Jafri ARTivist statement - Hi, I am Syed Hassam Jafri, I'm 25 years old and originlly a self-taught concept artist from Karachi, Pakistan. Currently studying bachelors of computer arts from Pakistan Air Force (KIET) College of Media Arts, majoring in animation. I have been working in various fields as a photographer, video editor and 3D artist on several commercials for some very wellknown brands. I also enjoy stylized medium and always eager to learn as much i can. Happy to answer any questions.

Grishma Shah ARTivist Statement: ETHEREAL: Too perfect for this world, yet she is expected to exist. As an artist, Grishma believes in the power of storytelling to entertain, educate, and liberate untold and unheard perspectives. As an amputee and three-time cancer survivor, Grishma (& her tumor) enjoy exploring constructs of beauty and worth through paintings and other storytelling mediums.

Bio: Grishma Shah is a multidisciplinary South Asian artist who consults with filmmakers, film festivals, and production houses in various stages of a story's journey. Her previous roles include unit production manager, producer, script supervisor, and film programming manager.

She is a 2021 3Arts Fellow and currently serves as Co-director of Chicago ReelAbilities Film Festival and co-writer for an international film. In 2020, Grishma joined Crip Camp's community leader/advisor group (film executively produced by President Barack Obama). In the same year Grishma was selected to be on the advisory committee of Chicago Film Festival Symposium (a community of 50+ film festivals in Chicago).

Efflam Mercier - Like Tears in The Wind

ARTivist Staement "This piece is from 2014, I was focused on trying to create the feeling of peace and serenity, something that could feel low-fi and cozy, but for some reason I wanted to contrast this with a character that looks like they just escaped something or experienced loss."

Bio: Efflam Mercier is a digital artist from France, currently working in Los Angeles. Efflam has worked in games, animation and movies for a while, yet, however fun dreaming up the wild and thrilling landscapes of fictional, escapist worlds might be, their heart has always been deeply concerned for this world. Our world. The world you can't change with a brush or photoshop. The world that can't be reimagined or rebooted if we don't like what we see. To this end, the intent of Ecocide Inc is to use satire and allegory to relentlessly chip away at the "social licence to operate" of oil companies and inform the public of the dangers of fossil fuel corruption.

Brett Stanley - The Sorrow

Bio: Underwater portrait photographer Brett Stanley has been working for over 10 years, and is still finding creative ways to create images that have a life of their own.

Brett loves being under the water and adding photography to that is just a bonus. His natural calm nature in the water really shows through and helps his clients to feel comfortable, which is the first aim of any underwater shoot.

Whilst based in Los Angeles, USA, the Australian born photographer travels frequently and relishes the chance to work with new people and new locations all over the world.

Always looking to innovate, Brett has built custom equipment and perfected his techniques to make every photoshoot the best it can be.

Now residing in Los Angeles, California, Brett is available for commercial work worldwide.