charlyn magdaline aka charly brownskin

Charlyn Magdaline aka Charly Brownskin is an interdisciplinary artist, healer and a mother of 3. British born, Caribbean-American raised, Brooklyn and now Philadelphia rooted, her studies have always consisted of a mind, body, spirit repertoire based in arts and sciences.

Charlyn studied at Middlesex University, PACE University and Hunter College focusing on African Diasporic and English Literature, Sociology, Global Development| Neo Colonialism and Popular Education. She has worked with international organizations such as Girls Inc., Generation Five, and with various United Nations non-governmental organizations such as Victory Women in Development USA. She has created youth and health initiatives with movement incubators in New York City, Washington, DC, California's Bay Area and in Philadelphia. Charlyn studies extensively the areas of metaphysics, biology and nutrition with particular interest in meditation, midwifery (she delivered her 3 children at home and assisted others in the same), nutrition and somatics (healing through bodywork and movement). Charlyn's own experiences bear fruit into her children's practices as well and they learn and experiment together.

Her work is allegorical and as she responds to the highly nuanced social issues|constructs that impact us she means to practice her greatest art; alchemy. To articulate and challenge cultural values and perceptions when necessary, and to relay messages of social justice through fostering dialogue among her diverse audiences, she often uses her own body as a canvas and focal point of her art. She tells stories using fluid, timeless analogies and imaginings partnered with common theoretical language to give her audiences a whole understanding of the inquiry and it's relevance to a individual|group's social experience.

The evolution of her creative process is akin to that of our universe, it is meticulous and thrives on everything in it's|her environment. Using materials from fabric to food, words, music, and people, all areas of the lived experienced are addressed through her wholistic arts approach. Making old objects and ideas focal points in a new reality is a common method in her practice. Her art mixes an ancient and simplistic approach with a seemingly endless surrealist collage aesthetic. Her practice exists from antiquity to infinity.