We are pleased to announce the completion of the official Nomad Two Worlds website! Go to www.nomadtwoworlds.com now to find the latest news, art and events.

We are prepping like mad for our first European opening...Berlin!  Presented by world famous photographic gallery CAMERA WORK and timed in support of the first World Peace Festival, we are taking over the historic ALTE MUNZE building in the heart of Berlin, and are excited to premiere a slew of new collaborative art.

The private opening night reception will be hosted by longtime friends of Nomad Hugh Jackman, Deborra-Lee Jackman, Donna Karan, and Nomad Two Worlds creator and photographer Russell James.  Several of our artists will also be in attendance.

The exhibition is open to the public from Aug. 20-28, 11am to 7pm.   Check back here for a schedule of activities, including our educational series, "singing of the paintings" performances  and special tours.

Keep up with the photos, preparations and the opening event in real time at our NOMAD TWO WORLDS FACEBOOK PAGE!  And follow us on TWITTER here!

While this week in New York Nomad Two Worlds was deeply honored to be present in support of Donna Karan and Urban Zen as they gave the first 'Apple Award' to President Clinton for his work in preservation of culture our attention now switches to the upcoming shoot in Perth Western Australia.

Please help us find people LIVING IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA with heritage back to any of  these 12 Commonwealth Countries as we look for the final few people to photograph for our very exciting 'Commonwealth Heads of Government Portrait Project'. If you are originally from or know anyone from: ANTIGUA & BARBUDA, BELIZE, DOMINICA, THE GAMBIA, LESOTHO, NAMIBIA, NAURU, St LUCIA, St VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES, SAMOA, SOLOMON ISLANDS, VANUATU. If you know anyone from these countries living in Western Australia please emaill us email us at casting@nomadtwoworlds.com with contact details and a photo. Next shoot mid-June. Spread the word!

More information at our NOMAD TWO WORLDS FACE BOOK PAGE!

(In the attached shot Nomad Two Worlds artist Philippe Dodard, Donna Karan and President Clinton shortly after the award)

Today saw the completion of the fourth and final day of shooting for Phase 1 of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Portrait Project. Over the last four days Nomad Two Worlds Photographer Russell James has made portraits of 41 out of 53 families and people from Commonwealth countries. The remaining people will be shot in June next month. Exciting Phase 2 of the project is the 'artists retreat' when indigenous artists will meet in a bush location to begin the transformation of the photographs in to collaborative art works 'Nomad Two Worlds' style.

You can see a few more shots from the shoot at the Nomad Two Worlds facebook page.

THANK YOU to the incredible turnout in the volunteer force who made this most important shooting possible. We will keep you posted on the next phase of the project as it continues.

As Russell James travels to Australia from New York today where he will begin shooting for the CHOGM art project he will be making a scheduled stop in Singapore to deliver a message and gift from all of us at Nomad Two Worlds to support fundraising and awareness activities on behalf of Japan and their current crisis.The gift is a photographic art series entitled 'Calm in The Chaos’ that is a collaboration with Japanese model Tao Okamoto, Donna Karan, Urban Zen Foundation and Nomad Two Worlds. The series of 10 images are a gift to Japanese relief efforts as both a message of hope and partnership and also to be sold to collectors with 100% of proceeds going to a foundation in Japan nominated by Tao Okamoto. Russell will be personally attending the Singapore Fashion Festival opening in Singapore on Friday and to deliver the art-series on behalf of all involved. We are very grateful to all those who donated their time and resources to make this project possible.Tao Okamoto/Ford Models NY www.fordmodels.comDonna Karan/Urban Zen www.urbanzen.comRussell James/Nomad Two Worlds www.nomadtwoworlds.comCamera Work AG. www.camerawork.deRetoucher Ilias Fiakka www.fiakka.comHair by Michiko Boorberg for Bryan Bantry Agency NY www.bryanbantry.comMake-up by Vicky Steckel for Bryan Bantry Agency NY www.bryanbantry.com

You can view several of the images at Nomad Two Worlds facebook page

Have you or your family migrated to Australia from another Commonwealth Country?

Nomad Two Worlds is looking for people who have migrated to Western Australia from ANY Commonwealth Country to have their portrait taken by RUSSELL JAMES, and then have their portrait turned into an art piece with the help of an amazing selection of indigenous Australian artists.

These art portraits will form a very special public exhibition to be presented in Perth in October 2011 as part of the celebrations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

We are looking for people of any age, gender, shape and background - from great grandparents to mother to niece to nephew to son to daughter to newborn...it is the connection to any commonwealth country that is important.

If you would like to be part of this exciting art project, please email a photo of you and/or your family group, with your contact details and country of origin to casting@nomadtwoworlds.com.

Submissions close Wednesday 11 May 2011.

People who are selected need to be available for approximately 2 hours between the dates of 15 – 18 May. The shoot will take place at a city central location in Perth Western Australia.

If you are on facebook please go to the Nomad Two Worlds facebook page and 'like' the page. We will be sending out regular updates on the progress of the casting and the search for 53 subjects!

The time is finally upon us. Nomad Two Worlds is in Los Angeles! Tonight marks the beginning of a week-long exhibition at Pier 59 Studios in Santa Monica, California.

The exhibit will feature amazing new art by our Australian Indigenous artists along with many new collaborations, including work by some incredibly talented Native American and Haitian artists.

There will also be a broad variety of events throughout the week including an Adult Education Symposium and Family Days. For complete information, see the schedule below:

LOS ANGELES EXHIBITION SPECIAL EVENTS SCHEDULE:

FEBRUARY 23 – MARCH 2, 2011

EXHIBITION OPEN to PUBLIC

10am – 5pm DAILY

“SINGING OF THE PAINTINGS”

4pm – 5pm DAILY through February 28

In Indigenous Australian culture, music and art are intertwined, it is the way tradition, history, maps to family gathering places and water sources are handed down. In this tradition, many of the NOMAD TWO WORLDS artists can “sing” the “story” of their paintings, a beautiful and powerful experience for all.

FEBRUARY 23, 2011

ADULT EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM

5-7:30 pm (Wednesday)

Donna Karan/Urban Zen Foundation discusses the importance of preserving culture. Professor Jessica Cattelino from UCLA analyzes the everyday conditions of indigenous peoples from an anthropological perspective. Cattelino weaves together diverse stories -- from Native American casino gaming to Aboriginal Australian arts movements – to show how indigenous cultural projects go hand-in-hand with economic and political power. Dr. Richard Walley, Nyungar elder from Western Australia, speaks on the challenges faced by Indigenous cultures in the modern world.

FEBRUARY 26, 2011

LACE FAMILY ACTIVITIES DAY

10am – 5pm (Saturday)

Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE) extends invitation and encouragement to over 10,000 families and organizations in the LA area to come experience Nomad Two Worlds. Kids are told the story of the clash of ancient civilizations with the modern world (AU/US/Haiti), of the AU Apology and of the importance of a renewed cultural pride in achieving a positive and collaborative future. Didj lessons, painting activities and music videos make it fun and interactive. Integration of Native American and Haitian cultures into music, dance and art activities as well.

FEBRUARY 27, 2011

FAMILY ACTIVITIES DAY

10am – 5pm (Sunday)

Same activities as LACE day, supported by URBAN ZEN, LACE, CHUMASH INDIAN MUSEUM and ADVANCE NETWORK

Brought Taboo face to face with himself yesterday. We caught up with at a signing of his new book 'Falling Up' (amazing read) and showed  the amazing work of collaborating NOmad Two Worlds artist Jamie Okuma. Tab was blown away, the detail of the works is truly amazing and you can see the piece as part of the collection in LA next week

CHECK OUR EVENTS TAB FOR OPENING TIMES AND DATES IN LA FEB 23-MARCH 3. SEE YOU THERE!

This is Jamies personal account of the art piece in 'Taboo' collaboration. Its is a compelling read and we are honored that Jamie has joined our collaboration.

History: I am a Luiseno (southern California), Wailaiki (central California) and Shoshone-Bannock (southern Idaho). My maternal Grandmother and Grandfather met at Sherman Indian High School in Riverside California in the 1930’s. They had four children, one girl (my mother) and three boys. My grandfather was born in 1923, in his mother and fathers house one half mile from where I now reside. The significance in his birthday is that 1923 was one year before Native Americans were granted citizenship in their own country. Slaves and immigrants had been granted citizenship 59 years prior to Native Americans.

Even though my Grandfather had not been born a citizen in his own county, he loved it so much he served in the navy during WWII. I also had uncles who also served in the military during WWII and Korea on the front lines as well as a flight instructor.

I will not speak for Native Americans as a whole but I can speck on behalf of my Luiseno and Shoshone family. Regardless of the injustices that have been in the past as well as in the present to the native people of this great country, we love this country like no other. Native Americans have voluntarily joined the military to fight for their country time and time again even having been survivors of a government that committed genocide on their ancestors. We still feel in our hearts and minds this is our county and we will fight to defend it.

Intent of my contribution: The subject in the portrait portrays a 21st century Native American. In the sunglasses The United States of America is seen through “Red eyes.” The color red in this instance is meant to have a commanding presence all on its own. It illustrates a country, a people, and a belief. Native Americans will always see this country as Indian country, a “red country.” It is a visual reminder to all people that Indians inhabited the country from coast to coast.

I used the flag in this piece because of my love and my family’s love for this country. I m alive today because my ancestors fought and “lived” through almost every war since European contact. The teepee is used here as a universal “Indian” symbol, to portray the Native American influence in the piece. Teepees were also the form of housing Shoshones used having been NOMADic people.

Jamie Okuma

20 DAYS and counting until the OPENING EVENT for NOMAD TWO WORLDS Los Angeles.

In addition to AMAZING new art by our Australian Indigenous artists, Nomad Two Worlds is premiering it's first collaborations with the Native American and Haitian Art Communities. Award winning Native American artist JAMIE OKUMA  (yes our first female artist to join the project!) and her mother SANDRA OKUMA of the Shoshone-Bannock and Luiseno tribes have made stunning contributions. Check out Jamie in American Indian Art Magazine this quarter or google her with 'Smithsonian'. Had my first sneak preview of our Haitian contributions and they are fantastic. I met Haitian artists, Pascale Monnin, Dubeus Lherisson and Renold Cleirsier thanks to a visit to Haiti hosted by Donna Karan and her URBAN ZEN FOUNDATION, ONEXONE FOUNDATION and our friends at CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE. The new collaborations bring the art forms of beading and metal sculpting to the Nomad Two Worlds project.  And delighted to confirm that COREY WEBSTER, Aboriginal music artist who worked our "Nomad Two Worlds Anthem" with Taboo from BLACK EYED PEAS, is coming to LA for the opening. Thanks as always to Richard Branson and V AUSTRALIA, our presenting sponsor in LA, who support us as always. And really cool late breaking news - legendary spinner PAUL OAKENFOLD is working on our latest Nomad Two Worlds track!

Come see the exhibit at Pier 59 in Santa Monica, California -  check our EVENTS page for the whole schedule.

In October 2010 Nomad Two Worlds was invited to meet  with President Clinton's Global Initiative (CGI) Haiti Action Network in regards to Haiti. We were asked how Nomad Two Worlds might collaborate with the Haitian art and manufacture community to help in the massive recovery effort to see Haiti back on its feet.  Following several visits to Haiti and further meetings with CGI Haiti Action Network we have developed a Haitian collaboration using Nomad Two Worlds Australia pProject as the model. I have just returned from a meeting in Haiti with CGI Haiti Action Network and during my time there was very excited to of see the first 'Nomad Two Worlds Haitian Collaboration' art pieces well in to production!  In Los Angeles On February 22, 2011 Nomad Two Worlds, in partnership with Donna Karan's Urban Zen and in collaboration with the Haitian artisans, Nomad Two Worlds will formally unveil the first pieces in the Haitian collaborative art series during our Australian opening . Using  the great learning provided by our indigenous Australian artists and partners the Haitian series is on the path to becoming the backbone for  licensing and branding opportunities. Our goal is to see these opportunities lead to manufacture opportunities for the Haitian community. We hope to also to be a part of the rebranding of Haiti that will demonstrate the richness of Haitian culture and to contribute to long term sustainable recovery.

Our February opening in Los Angeles will highlight the next phase of our rapidly growing Australian collaboration that leads the way for all our projects. At the opening we will unveil our emerging Native American and Haitian collaborations. Our Australia Indigenous artists will work with our new partners as we continue to harness art, music and culture for sustainable outcomes.

In the attached photograph President Clinton officially opened the iron works. Due in great part to the commitment of Denis O'Brien of Digicel the Iron Market has been rebuilt in magnificent form. Less than one year since the iconic structure fell during the earthquake Mr O'Brien and his team have demonstrated and inspired us all that 'Build Back Better' can be done. To borrow from another presidents mantra "Yes We can'!