Kingston - model
Born John Ester, and brought up in Donaldsonville, LA, between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Kingston knew he was unique early on. Identifying with African history, he sought out enlightenment and educating himself on his true roots, changed his name to Kingston and grew locs in order to relate better to these roots. He spent a week in the ICU and when woken from a medically induce
d coma, he discovered the doctors had been forced to shave his head in order to perform surgery on his skull. As a spiritual man, this was devastating, but once recovered, he immediately began growing his beloved locs again, and is now known for their long, natural look. In high school Kingston excelled at sports, including football and baseball, with hopes of pursuing an athletic career after college. These dreams were cut short by the accident, so he redirected his goals and went to school to become a massage therapist, this evolved into Personal Training. As a personal trainer, Kingston was soon approached about being a fitness and fashion model, which became his true calling as he is a natural and the camera loves his easy, relaxed approach to modeling. Kingston is the resident model for the Eye Am Kemet Shop in Baton Rouge, and has walked the runway for them and numerous other clothing designers, and was recently crowned Top Model at the annual Coastal Fashion Week in New Orleans. Kingston continues to be in high demand in his home state of Louisiana along with various photographers and designers around the country. Protoje - Musician
There is an exciting resurgence of conscious, organic music in Jamaica and industry experts and fans alike agree that Protoje is among those at the forefront of the movement known as the ‘Reggae Revival.’ Leading the militant band - The Indiggnation - the powerful songwriter and philosophical thinker articulates the righteous anger of an emerging generation. Protoje reports for duty,
re-establishing the standard for the decaying art of socially responsible, mentally stimulating lyricism. Referring to Protoje’s debut album, The Seven Year Itch, David Rodigan declared that he was “particularly impressed with the album,” which he thought was “very refreshing.” Rasta Love featuring Ky-Mani Marley was the first international hit, which has accrued over 30 million Youtube views. Two years after the proverbial itch was scratched, Protoje unveiled his sophomore album called 'The 8 Year Affair' in February 2013. Within a week of its release, the Billboard-affiliated ‘Next Big Sound’ chart listed Protoje at #4. According to the official website, ‘Next Big Sound’ measures “the fastest accelerating artists across all major social music sites, statistically predicted to achieve future success.”
'The 8 Year Affair' also charted in the top 5 on the iTunes Reggae charts in the USA, UK, France, Germany, Spain and Switzerland. His third studio album, 'Ancient Future', hit number one on the Reggae Billboard charts in March 2015. Protoje was undoubtedly named as one of BBC 1xtra Hot for 2015 Artistes, one of his major achievements for the year. Protoje gave his fans a free project, 'Royalty Free, Side B' in June 2016 on his birthday as a gift to his fans, who he describes as his ‘nation’, which is available for download on his website. Protoje has toured extensively since 2010, gaining recognition every step of the way and admiration for his disciplined approach to his music career. Major performances include the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in California, Coachella in California, Summerjam and Reggae Ruhr (which he headlined) in Germany and other festivals across Europe. Protoje and The Indiggnation are coming to your nation, on a mission to bring Roots Rock Reggae’s message of uplifting consciousness to the world. JONATHAN MADZINGA - Artist
Biography
Jonathan Madzinga was born on the 15th of January 1985 in Bulawayo, in the Math South region of Zimbabwe. He began painting at the age of six, encouraged by his father who was a painter and recognized his talent. Soon he was introduced to the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo, where Jonathon developed his appreciation for fine art. He received tertiary art training at the Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre, and was a resident artist at the National Gallery of Bulawayo. Since 2002, Jonathan has exhibited in Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, The Netherlands, UK, Dubai, Canada, USA, and Australia. His paintings are about life and living, enjoying making people happy and sharing his culture. Jonathan has enjoyed numerous solo and group exhibitions around the world. He has recently began a clothing and household collection; including women’s bathing suits, leggings, sarongs and scarves, along with colorful decorative pillows for the home. Jonathan plans to expand the home décor line in the coming year. Group Exhibitions:
2002 Genaina Gallery, Bvumba, Zimbabwe
2002 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair – sculptures and paintings
2003 Visual Artists’ Association of Bulawayo
2003 Village Framers, Cape Town
2004 HIV/AIDS Fundraising Art Exhibition
2005 Intwasa Arts Festival, Bulawayo
2005 Isigodlo Samakhosi Cultural Festival, Bulawayo
2006 Soul Africa Unite, South Africa
2012 Group Exhibition at Galerie 23, Amsterdam
2012 Water for life, Brisbane Qld
2012 Art and Soul Gallery, Boonah Qld
2013 Gallery on the Lane, Southport Gold Coast Qld
2013 Trinity Art and Craft Exhibition, Gold Coast Qld
2014 “Introducing Jonathan Madzinga” La Bella Art Gallery, Tempe, AZ USA
2014 “The Rotation Series” African American Art & Culture Complex, San Francisco, CA USA
2014 Marymount Art Show, 261/285 Burleigh Connection Rd, Burleigh Waters ,Gold Coast, Qld , Australia
SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2006 “New Beginnings” Dubai
2007 “Window to Zimbabwe” Gold Coast Qld, Australia
2008 “Glow to Zimbabwe” Gold Coast Qld, Australia
2010 “New Beginnings” Gold Coast Qld, Australia
2012 “New Beginnings” Klein Afrika, Marknesse, Netherlands
2013 “Art in the Vault “Southport Gold Coast Qld , Australia
2013 “Chill in Café with Madzinga Art” Qld, Australia
2013 “Madzinga in the Arts Café” Gold Coast Regional Art Gallery, Qld, Australia
2013 “Marios Café with Madzinga Art” Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC, Australia
2013 “Hilltop on Tamborine presents Madzinga Art” 1525 Tamborine Wongawallan , Qld, Australia
2013 “St+Baker Studios presents Madzinga Art” Redcliff, Queensland, Australia
2014 “Pita Jungle Tempe presents Madzinga Art” Tempe, AZ USA
2014 "Pita Jungle Scottsdale presents Madzinga Art” Scottsdale, AZ USA
2014 "Red Tree Gallery presents Madzinga Art” Cincinnati, OH USA
2014 "Creative Soul Art Gallery presents Madzinga Art” St Petersburg, FL USA
2014 "Gallery Andrea presents Madzinga Art” Scottsdale, AZ USA
2014 "Pita Jungle Chandler presents Madzinga Art” Chandler, AZ USA
2014 “Michele Tuegel Contemporary presents Madzinga Art - A Slice of Everyday” St. Petersburg, FL USA
2014 “Hilltop on Tamborine presents Madzinga Art” 1525 Tamborine Wongawallan, Qld, Australia
2014 “Sanaa Afrika presents Madzinga Art” 2a/490 The Entrance Rd, Erina Heights Nsw, 2260, Australia
2014 “Scope presents Madzinga Art” Currumbin Rsl 165, During St. Currumbin Goldcoas, Qld, Australia
2014 ‘’Axis presents Madzinga Art” Beach Hotel Cnr Johnson & Bay Streets Byron Bay, NSW 2481
2014 “Lotus Gallery presents Madzinga Art” Lotus Contemporary Art Gallery, Phoenix, AZ USA
2015 "Creative Soul Art Gallery presents Madzinga Art” St Petersburg, FL USA
2015 “Michele Tuegel Contemporary presents Madzinga Art” St Petersburg, FL USA
2016 “Pita Jungle Gilbert presents Madzinga Art” Gilbert, AZ USA
2016 - 2017 “Pita Jungle Mesa presents Madzinga Art” Mesa, AZ USA
2016 “Pita Jungle Phoenix presents Madzinga Art” Phoenix, AZ USA
2017 “Pita Jungle Chandler presents Madzinga Art” Chandler, AZ USA
2017 “Pita Jungle Gilbert presents Madzinga Art” Gilbert, AZ USA
2017 “Pita Jungle Ahwatukee presents Madzinga Art” Phoenix, AZ USA
www.madzinga.com.au
