Aside from being talented, successful artists, they’ve all supported the crowd funding campaign ofKedar Sudan (aka Marvin J. Fentis) and his partner, Daresha Kyi, to help launch Tru Imij Artworks.Chris Rock asked his 2.9 million twitter followers lend a hand. Rachel True (Half & Half) and Karen Malina White (A Different World/Malcolm & Eddie) tweeted and posted the campaign on their Facebook pages. Kim Coles (Living Single) and Todd Holland (3x Emmy winning director, Malcolm In The Middle) felt so strongly that they recorded personal video appeals for the campaign.
So, what’s got these Hollywood celebrities all abuzz? Talent recognizes talent. They all appreciate the quality and beauty of Kedar’screations and want to helphimtransform his passion for art from a part time hobby into a legitimate business.
Kedar was born as Marvin Fentis and came of age during the late 60’s and early 70’s-a turbulent time of high hopes, idealism and naivety as well as anger, fear and widespread civil unrest. A self-proclaimed political activist, Marvingot caught up in the whirlwind of the Black Power movement. Thinking he’d finally found a “righteous” outlet for his frustration and anger, he made some seriously bad choices. In 1973 at age 26 he was sentenced to hard time in prison, labeled a radical black militant.
Fourteen years later 40 year old Kedar Sudan emerged – a grateful, peaceful artist who couldnot only read but now wrote poetry! He had used his time inside wisely, gotten a college education and made a commitmentto use art to express himself.
He says,“I talk a lot about how art was my saving grace, but in truth learning to read was even more important. Growing up intelligent but poor, illiterate and black and trying to find my place in society was, as they say, like the blind leading the blind. But once I started reading, a whole new world opened up for me. My anger and frustration gradually turned to better insight and understanding.”
Fast forward to the present. For the last 27 years Kedar has lived a quiet, productive life in Fort Smith, ARconsistently and continuously churning out vibrant, original art that touches the heart. This self-taught digital artist says, “Since my release, I’ve tried to stay positive, focus on the present andnot dwell in the past. I still see myself as a revolutionary…in the sense that revolution means positive change and visionary thinking. But for me the struggle continues thru my artwork. True revolution is not about anger or violence. It’s about positive change and universal love. My artwork is the means I now use.”
In their fundraising campaign Kedar and his partner are looking to raise $20,000 to hire a web designer to build two professional e-commerce sites; purchase two large format printers and silk screening supplies; bulk order T-shirts in order to standardize the colors and sizes; work with a consultant to design custom frames for his newest creation, a translucent version of his prints called ClearVisions; and purchase the materials and equipment necessary to set up a fully functional work studio. So far they’ve raised $2,000 with 17 days left until their campaign ends.
As someone who is truly grateful for receiving a second chance in life, Kedar feels duty bound to show his appreciation by paying it forward. He is deeply committed to the concept of reciprocity. As he says, “Helping others this way would give my life purpose and meaning.” As a result, Tru Imij ArtWork is not just about starting up a business to make money. Once the business is up and running, he intends to donate 15% of all profits to established charities, such as charitywater.org which provides sustainable clean water and sanitation to people in developing countries. As sales increase his goal is to eventually donate as much as 40% of the profits to various charities.
Here is the link for those who feel moved to donate: www.indiegogo.com
Here are Kim Coles’ and Todd Holland’s testimonials:
vimeo.com/110412339
vimeo.com/110211411
