{"podcast":{"title":"The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter","slug":"the-truth-in-this-art-stories-that-matter-1372723","podcast_index_feed_id":1372723,"rss_url":"https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-truth-in-this-art","website_url":"https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/episodes","image_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/nu3SKpIFFPlgkLoounIJyOuvwqK2UhqCswDkhN6Qe-g/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85Y2U0/ZjJkMjUzNTFiYjlh/NTNkMDAxNzg0Y2Iy/ZWI5My5qcGc.jpg","author":"Rob Lee","episode_count":949,"summary":"The Truth In This Art with Rob Lee is a Baltimore-based arts and culture podcast where independent journalist Rob Lee goes beyond the highlight reel to uncover the truth behind the work—the creative process, the choices, and the stories that shape the people who make it. Through thoughtful conversations with emerging and established photographers, filmmakers, designers, musicians, chefs, writers, and other creative voices, each episode explores how artists build sustainable practices, stay connected to their communities, and create work that reflects the world around them. More than interviews, these are stories about what it takes to build a creative life—the challenges, choices, and experiences that make art matter. For makers, culture lovers, and the creatively curious.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-23T14:20:52.257530+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-truth-in-this-art-stories-that-matter-1372723"},"episode":{"title":"Jamilla Okubo","slug":"jamilla-okubo","published_at":"2026-03-16T04:01:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-truth-in-this-art-stories-that-matter-1372723/jamilla-okubo","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-truth-in-this-art-stories-that-matter-1372723","url":"https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/episodes/jamilla-okubo-on-washington-d-c-artist-on-black-silhouettes-african-textiles-reclaiming-narrative-through-art","audio_url":"https://op3.dev/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/prfx.byspotify.com/e/media.transistor.fm/b1837401/9c12c9ba.mp3","summary":"In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Jamilla Okubo! Who is Jamilla Okubo: A Washington, D.C.-based multidisciplinary artist whose work spans painting, collage, illustration, and print design. Her work centers the Black silhouette, using pattern, ornament, and saturated color to explore identity, self-possession, and cultural memory—drawing from African textile traditions, fashion, and Black feminist thought. In our conversation, Jamilla traces her journey from Duke Ellington School of the Arts to Parsons, where she initially planned to focus on painting but discovered her multidisciplinary approach after making a dress from magazine paper. She breaks down how she developed her signature use of the Black silhouette—blacking out white models in fashion magazines with Sharpie, then tracing and painting them in bold colors to represent Black people in a positive light. Jamilla talks through the tension between her illustration work and fine art practice, explaining how client deadlines can feel like \"being a machine\" while her studio work requires patience and time to let ideas fully develop. She shares her creative breakthrough ritual: boxing at the gym followed by steam room sessions where she works through mental blockages. We also dig into community, the importance of trusting your gut (\"if it's not a hell yes, it's a hell no\"), and what it means to be in this for the long haul—creating meaningful work instead of chasing fleeting fame. Don't miss Jamilla Okubo's work—her bold, layered silhouettes tell stories of identity, heritage, and belonging you won't want to overlook. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund , the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimo…","meta_description":"In this episode of The Truth In This Art, the guest is Jamilla Okubo! Who is Jamilla Okubo: A Washington, D.C.-based multidisciplinary artist whose work s…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3384,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-truth-in-this-art-stories-that-matter-1372723/episodes/jamilla-okubo/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-truth-in-this-art-stories-that-matter-1372723/jamilla-okubo.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}