Kick back, relax, pour a cup of tea, pull up a cosy armchair and take some well-deserved time to secretly perv over some of our all-time favourite creative minds. Immerse yourself in their paintings, sculptures, ornaments, occasional potted plants and a stack of good books. We do love a bit of memorabilia and paraphernalia. Today, we step inside the humble abode of Kabala-born, NYC-based community photographer Delwin Kamara.
What’s your most prized possession?
“My high school art teacher Ms. Gwendolyn Lefcort gifted me a photo book entitled Japan by American photographer Horace Bristol. Published in 1949, it is packaged with 14 booklets covering different aspects of Japanese art and culture. I did an acrylic painting that reminded her of something she had seen in that collection of photographs. I have kept the book close and it has travelled with me to every apartment from Baltimore to NYC. It has inspired many book-making projects and now, as I continue to take a journalistic approach to photography, it continues to inspire me. Sometimes when things are gifted to you, they end up possessing a deeper meaning to your life’s journey and that meaning reveals itself in moments of awakening.”
What dream item would make your home all that more special?
“I have a beautiful blue and white milk glass flower vase with a gold lip I thrifted from Restoration Worship Temple in Bushwick. I would love to design my home centred around it. A dream item for me is a sculpture by American artist Edmonia Lewis, particularly Poor Cupid. Some dark romanticism in a minimalist space.”
What’s the key to keeping your humble abode a happy one?
“Cleanliness, lots of sunlight during the day and music all make me happy when I’m at home. Sunlight cleanses and rejuvenates my spirit, mind and body so I lay in bed or on the floor, positioned to receive it whenever I am able to. I close my eyes and feel anew once they are open. Spending time at home with friends and family also keeps it joyous. I also like to release my energies through song and dance; I feel free when I’m able to do that at home. “At night, I lock the doors where no one else can see” but I don’t get tired of dancing by myself!”
Photography by Delwin Kamara. Keep your eyes peeled for more inductees to our Ten Men at Home series. Taken from Issue 56 of 10 Men – FUTURE, BALANCE, HEALING – out NOW. Purchase here.