Today we’d like to introduce you to Petra Mason

Hi Petra , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

Fast forward to now, to the land of my ancestors and origins to the high-veld bush-veld artists residency that’s been ours since 1968 and is located in the Cradle of Humankind in Southern Africa. The artist residence, Obscure Studio aims to amplify and reflect the radical transformation taking place in contemporary pan-African art. My intellectually insatiable artist mother and Archaeology Professor father shared a love for ancient cultures Growing up a Bohemian outsider during South Africa’s apartheid era, we were never part of the mainstream. I have a nomad, adventurous spirit and I have lived in Tuscany, Italy where I studied art in Florence, I lived in Cape Town South Africa and worked in art galleries and publishing throughout the 90s then moved to Manhattan New York where I did the same relocating to Latin Manhattan aka Miami where my husband and I created a bespoke publishing company. Now I operate globally as a publisher having just completed a book publishing project for a museum in Palm Beach, Florida that was printed in Italy. I have an ability to create my own luck – but that takes a lot of effort! My life as a cultural historian and global nomad is enormously enriching. I consider myself an American South African new world person.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Determination, confidence and a dash of audacity have always been my currency. Bravery and an ability to survive at times on next to nothing are necessary! A Cultural Historian goes anywhere. Consistent obstacles and challenges as a woman (without an Ivy League degree) have always been the patriarchy, but the underestimating and the belittling does not only come from men, you have to fight the power every step of the way in all forms. Be brave, be fearless and out dress your circumstances – humans are at the end of the day very primitive.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

The title of Cultural Historian allows me access to many worlds: I publish, produce, picture edit, write, photograph, research, archive, curate, compose, and collect. I consider myself a cultural worker and historian first, someone who has always championed art from the African continent. I see beyond the obvious and my life revolves around cultural content / place making. As a youthful activist ‘People’s Culture’ started dismantling colonial ways of seeing back in the 80s, an entire discussion of its own. To date, as an author I am most proud of my trilogy of vintage photography books ‘Bunny Yeager’s Darkroom, Bettie Page : Queen of Curves and Beefcake : 100% Rare, All Natural (published by Rizzoli New York). As Creative Director
and Editorial Coordinator for the historic second edition, centennial edition of ‘Last Train to Paradise’ and as a cultural content writer my publishing work is a constant. My American partners and global locations is the culmination of a confluence of interests and achievements and my way of staying engaged and curious while connecting contemporary artists, publishers, galleries, museums and collections.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?

Print media is here to stay but it will only become more bespoke. My aim is to work on more historic editions for international museums. The business of art has transformed into a massive global industry in the past 20 years where contemporary art has become a currency all of its own. Art Fair mania will die down as the art world currently is. Quality will outshine excess. Contemporary art from the African continent is now on the global stage on its own terms and has really shifted perceptions — this is hugely exciting as is the belated acknowledgement of women artists, seen at last! Building collaborative relationships with my American community for the artists Africa based studios and residencies photographic component aiming to ‘amplify and reflect the radical transformation taking place in contemporary fashion and art photography’ and AI has certainly been a distraction. As witnesses to the climate crisis in real time, aim for ‘less is more’ – it’s the most liberating way to live.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.petramason.com
• Instagram: @arthit_global @obscure_studio
• Twitter: @PetraMason
• Other: amazon.com/author/petramason and whitehotmagazine.com/contributors/petramason

Image Credits

Bowtie Ai Me (c) Adam Unbeat (c) Thekiso Mokhele (c) J.A Sey