A rare Angeleno native growing up through the nooks and crannies of the culturally diverse Los Angeles artistic basin, Azul pulls inspiration from contrasts in life experiences and nature. Rhythmic melodies juxtapose abstract tribal beats , sonic back-masks, and deep grooves while finding a magical through line awash in historical soul revival. Breakout performances at the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, and FORM Arcosanti., lead Azul’s introduction to a larger audience imminent with an upcoming debut EP release and a bevy of unique live performances into 2016.
Fun, fresh and irreverent, Naomi Shimada is a dynamic force who is fast becoming the voice of a generation. Her multi-faceted talents and unique beauty have seen her conquer the worlds of modelling and TV presenting and in only her twenties, she identifies as a global citizen has called countries as diverse as the USA, Japan, the United Kingdom and Spain home, giving her a unique perspective on the world. Naomi’s candid and frank depiction about her experiences as a model and the wider fashion industry has meant she has become a prolific voice in the body positive movement. As a self-described “healthy body image activist,” Naomi has a monthly column in InStyle UK that reaches 150,000 readers, in which she showcases style has nothing to do with size. She has been profiled by the likes of The Sunday Times, CNN, BBC, i-D and most recently, she graced the cover of The Observer magazine in which she discussed fashion’s prejudices towards plus-size models with acclaimed journalist Eva Wiseman. Her candid admirable and relatable approach to her career and those around her has seen amass a large social media following and now committed to shedding light to social causes close to her heart, Naomi wants to extend the dialogue even further. 2016 signals her move into documentary filmmaking and she is already in pre-production on her video series committed to social issues that affect women across the globe; from sexuality, motherhood, health to travel; subjects she sees as inextricably linked, and that will see her take her pioneering spirit and call for change to a global stage.
A rare Angeleno native growing up through the nooks and crannies of the culturally diverse Los Angeles artistic basin, Azul pulls inspiration from contrasts in life experiences and nature. Rhythmic melodies juxtapose abstract tribal beats , sonic back-masks, and deep grooves while finding a magical through line awash in historical soul revival. Breakout performances at the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, and FORM Arcosanti., lead Azul’s introduction to a larger audience imminent with an upcoming debut EP release and a bevy of unique live performances into 2016.
Portraits taken exclusively for Milk by Natalia Parsonson.
Whole story on MILK “ ABBEY LEE & CARA STRICKER ON YOUR NEW FAV ART PROJECT [EXCLUSIVE]:
https://milk.xyz/feature/abbey-lee-cara-stricker-on-your-new-fav-art-project-exclusive/
STRICKER is an Australian multi disciplinary Director, Photographer and Music Producer currently residing in Los Angeles and New York. Growing up in Australia whilst training as a Dancer and Musician throughout her adolescence, Stricker moved into studying film and photography at UTS Sydney, graduating in 2010 with a degree in Film and Bachelor of Arts.
Cara’s works have been published internationally including Nowness, Interview Magazine, Dazed and Confused, Vogue, ID Magazine, NYT, 25 Magazine, Oyster Magazine, Fader, VS Magazine, Riot of Perfume, Russh Magazine and Rolling Stone, while collaborations include Chanel, Missoni, Mother NY, Alexander Wang, Parkwood Entertainment, See Pictures & Sol Films, Terrible Records, Debbie Harry, XL Records, Matte Projects, MiLK, GAP, Fools Gold, Vogue, EMI, Siberia Records and Modular Records.
Her work has been awarded and screened internationally including Vivid Festival Australia,Colarado Flexiff International Festival, Sydney International Animation Festival, Indie Spirit Film
Festival and Sugar Mountain Festival, including music performances as of late off her debut audio visual album produced with John Kirby self titled, DROOL, released on Terrible Records. Her most recent shows exhibited at the Hole NYC the last two consecutive years, including visual sound collaborations with Boots, Roger O’Donnell (the Cure). Throughout the past year, Stricker travelled and performed in Australia, LA and New York City.
