We're Sprung
A Glazed TV moment, chat with Glazed Muse Patricia Nygaard + April Gems
A Glazed TV Moment
In 2020 we partnered with Locally Grown, a grassroots TV initiative to position television for the current era, to curate a channel that was streamed 24/7 on their platform. Glazed TV is a shuffled celebration of Black Excellence through interviews, music videos, live performances, films & adverts that have left an imprint culturally and in our hearts. If you’ve ever been to one of our events, we typically have a Glazed TV mix playing thats intentionally curated for the vibe. This month we made a special mini mix for you—featuring iconic moments from Kelela’s recent Tiny Desk performance to words of wisdom from the late Faith Ringgold. Enjoy❣️
Glazed Muse: Patricia Nygaard
This month we’re spotlighting Patricia Nygaard, a Queens-based Photographer & Creative Producer and OG Glazed Girl, collaborator and dear friend. Dive into our chat with this multi-hyphenate honey as she shares her unexpected entry into the world of photography, her distinct style inspired by romance and femininity, and her ever-evolving journey to stay innovative and authentic in her craft.
What initially inspired your journey in the creative industry?
My journey into the creative industry was pretty gradual and almost accidental. I've had a love for photography since I was a kid, but I didn't start taking photos and creative producing professionally ‘til I was 24. I'd just given up on the idea of getting a job in my field of study and decided to start a vintage clothing brand—A one-woman show that involved me photographing and producing all the product shoots. Being that this was my sole professional focus at the time, it really opened the door for play and experimentation and collaboration. I learned so much in such a short amount of time, one of the most valuable takeaways being that I wanted to continue growing in this industry.
How do you believe your creative work stands out, and which creators have influenced your style or approach?
I think there's an inherent softness to my work, with romance and femininity being the lens (no camera pun intended lol) through which I try to see most things. A few photographers whose work I really enjoy are Lucia Zolea, Ana Roque, and Jen Wolf. They all do such a gorgeous job of artfully capturing womanhood.
What is a significant challenge you've faced in your creative process and how have you grown from it?
Honestly, burnout. The number one struggle I've experienced since capitalizing on what was once my hobby and something I did solely out of passion, has been sometimes losing the motivation to pursue my own independent projects outside of client projects. It's a balance I'm still working on, but I've found a lot of clarity and creative fulfillment in exploring other mediums and not pigeonholing myself to just photography. I recently started practicing salsa dancing and it's really been scratching that creative itch.
How do you engage in collaboration and stay innovative in your endeavors?
Community is so important to me personally and with so many talented creative friends, collaboration has always naturally been the backbone of my work. Most commonly, I'll showcase my lovely friends as the subjects of my work. One of my absolute favorite collaborations was with you Glazed angels on our 2019 Valentine's Day series, forever some of my fave photos I've taken!
When it comes to staying innovative, I think this ties into my answer for the next question, but I can't stress enough how important it is to always be hungry to hone your craft and learn new things and lean on your friends with different specialties to develop a more fresh, well-rounded creative approach.
What advice would you give to the young visionaries looking to establish themselves in the industry?
My advice to literally anyone in the creative industry, especially young visionaries, is to always approach things with a student mentality and remain curious. There's so much to learn and so many people to learn from - you'd be putting yourself at a disadvantage by not constantly creatively challenging yourself to grow.
Where do you see yourself and your endeavors heading in the next few years?
To celebrate my 30th birthday a couple years ago, I created a book showcasing photos I'd taken throughout my life, titled 92-29. I only published one copy as a gift to myself, but in the future, I'd really love to work on an actual book release of 92-29 or maybe on a new book entirely. There's something so special about physical media (and I love a coffee table book), so I'd love for my work to exist in people's homes irl - hopefully that's in the near future!
Connect with Patricia and check out more of her work on Instagram @patricia_nygaard
April Glazed Gems
Nestled in Dumbo, Adanne Bookshop opened in 2021 by NYC native and passionate educator Darlene Okpo. With its curated selection of books by authors of color, it's a vibrant hub aiming to inspire, empower, and spark meaningful conversations.
The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion
Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking. But actually, The New York Botanical Garden has one day left of “The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion,” a stunning display of the interconnectedness of art, style, and botanical beauty. Not to mention a perfect last-minute 2-in-1 moment to get some fresh air and inspiration.
This documentary is a no-holds-barred look into the wild ride of a fashion legend John Galliano—drama, creativity, and all. Dive into the glamorous and gritty world of fashion genius, where every stitch tells a story worth watching. Showing now at Quad Cinema in NYC or stream it from the comfort of your crib on MUBI.