Category: Interviews

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The Remarkable Careers of Tunde Valiszka and Jodi Proznick

Images Courtesy of Tunde Valiszka & Michele Mateus for Jodi Proznick

Introduction

In the past, creative industries have been, and in some cases still are, dominated by men. The journeys of Tunde Valiszka and Jodi Proznick stand out as beacons of inspiration for photographers and jazz musicians. These two accomplished women have excelled in their respective fields and have paved the way for future generations. This blog post touches on their stellar careers through some of their notable accomplishments and where they started. In the upcoming interviews on July 20th, we will learn more about where they are going next.

NEW: Tunde Valiszka’s Interview

RECENT: Jodi Proznick’s interview

Photographic Inspirations for SeeChangemakers.ca

As a previous amateur photographer and artist, I was immediately drawn to Tunde’s Valiszka’s images. They popped off the page and drew the viewer into a world beyond our current one. As I scrolled through, the “street photographers” group on Facebook, I kept seeing these electric images. So, I took note of the photographer. One day, I heard the Blade Runner soundtrack alongside an image she posted. The image transformed me, the viewer, into another realm. Good photography pleases the viewer’s eyes, but great photography brings the person into another world.

Chinese Cook Image by Tunde Valiszka

Tunde Valiszka: A Lens into the Metaverse

Tunde Valiszka, a leading neon-noir fine art street photographer, captures a vision of what our future Metaverse might look like. Working at her art with passion and commitment, she has a style few can replicate. Her career started in Hungary as a young child, witnessing her mother, a hobbyist photographer, in the dark room. When she became a young adult, she moved to London, UK, to pursue post-secondary studies. Over the years, she focused on creating her brand, style, and her photographic art. She honed her skills and developed a keen eye for detail. Meanwhile, through an array of endeavors in journalism and as a brand enthusiast, she built her laser-focused career. Valiszka has now become internationally renowned for her evocative portraits alongside her gritty, electric, and moody street photography.

Recent Endeavors

Valiszka loves getting into the street and really feeling into her photography. You can actually book a rare walking tour in London with her this year. She wants to teach people techniques necessary for street photography, plus bring their empathy to the images.  “When working with Tünde, you’ll go out for coffee, walk the streets together through the vibrant streetlights. Suddenly, she starts snapping away.” She has taught at the London School of Photography and guest lectured at the University of Roehampton. With a passion for her signature art, Valiszka loves collaborating with other passionate makers and brand enthusiasts.  

Harrods UK by Tunde Valiszka

Accomplishments

Valiszka’s work has been exhibited in several international venues in Malta, Tokyo, and London. She commands followers on various platforms in the 10’s of 1000’s. On Facebook alone, she has reached 39K. Meanwhile, her notoriety has been discussed in the publications of Mutual Art Magazine and  Underground Sound. This dedication to her career has brought her contracts with brands such as Jägermeister and Adobe. Her Banksy Tunnel image, from 2019, has brought her notoriety from many influencer publications such as Bored Panda. After years of contemplating her future success as Sony Alpha Female, she won the title in May 2025. Presently, she has become the official creator of the trademark “dystopian romanticism”, a unique genre of image making.

Leake Street, London, UK by Tunde Valiszka

Challenges and Triumphs

As a woman in the field of photography, Valiszka has faced her share of obstacles. The industry is often male-dominated, with women having to work harder to gain recognition and respect. Despite these challenges, Valiszka’s perseverance and exceptional talent allow her to break barriers and set new standards. Recently, she was featured in an article that brought her to the attention of the Hungarian media. She is now becoming aligned with historical photographic artists like André Kertész, Robert Capa, Brassaï, Martin Munkácsi, and Lucien Hervé. In contrast to the past, women were always left in the margins. Valiszka is changing this trend by bringing women front and center into this new universe.

Musical Inspirations for SeeChangemakers.ca

Finishing studies at SFU with a cohort of artists, our jazz-playing colleagues invited us to various shows. Bill Coon, a renowned Canadian Jazz guitarist, would often be playing with Bassist Jodi Proznick. Later, I learned that this collaboration was a celebrated trio that included Miles Black. In the last few years, I started seeing more and more of Proznick’s work. I soon realized she was not only a bassist but a leader in her field. Recently, in 2022, she coordinated and collaborated on “The Ostara Project” with Amanda Tosoff. The Ostara Project was a Juno-nominated group of top-tier female jazz musicians, composers, and bandleaders.

Jodi Proznick: Master of the Upright Bass

Jodi Proznick’s journey as an upright bass player is a testament to her extraordinary talent and persistence. Starting at 13 years old, Proznick found her love of music, which aligned with her father’s, David Proznick. Like wildfire, her passion was ignited. In high school, she won the General Motors Award of Excellence. This was just the beginning of a career of monumental moments. She is one of the most sought-after bass players in the jazz and classical music scenes. Her versatility and skill have made her a favorite among musicians and critics alike.

Trilogy with Miles Black (pianist), Jodi Proznick (Bassist) , and Bill Coon (guitarist)

Accomplishments

Proznick has had performances and taught with the renowned orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO). She has recorded several albums that have received critical acclaim, highlighting her prowess and innovative approach to the upright bass. Proznick is known as one of the top-call bassists of this era. Proznick’s contributions to music have been recognized with numerous Juno Award nominations. As well, in 2019, she was awarded Jazz Artist of the Year. Following this, she received the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Awards in 2022.

Image courtesy of Michele Mateus, cited from https://jodiproznick.com/music-and-media/

Challenges and Triumph

Being a woman in the music industry presents its own unique set of challenges. In 2017, the JUNO-nominated album Sun Songs was written. It was a project that explored the polarities of life. It was a response to two pivotal life events: the birth of her son and her mother’s early-onset dementia diagnosis. With all this, Proznick navigates her landscapes with grace and dedication to her art form. Her success is a testament to her exceptional talent, determination, and ability to generate authentic connections. Ultimately, her commitment and passion transcend life and gender barriers in her pursuit of musical excellence.

Conclusion

The stories of Tunde Valiszka and Jodi Proznick are powerful. They remind us of the impact talented and determined women can have in male-dominated industries. Their accomplishments highlight their greatness while inspiring future generations of women. These women encourage us to pursue our passions and to break through the barriers that stand in the way. As we celebrate their achievements, we also acknowledge the importance of supporting and uplifting women in all fields. This support ensures a more inclusive and equitable world for all.

Theresa K. Howell

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Indigenous Art and Film

In June, See Changemakers will be discussing and interviewing two dynamic women. Both women speak to Indigenous perspectives through an artistic lens.

LATEST INTERVIEW: CLICK HERE

June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Canada. Also, June 21st is the summer solstice, bringing universal importance to this chosen date. The day of recognition became official in 1996 as National Aboriginal Peoples’ Day by the then Governor General, Roman LeBlanc. In 2017, it was renamed. It is celebrated as a statutory holiday in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.

The eagle represents First Nations, a narwhal represents Inuit, and a violin represents Métis. These illustrations are placed around the sun and surrounded by multicoloured smoke that represents Indigenous traditions of spirituality, inclusion, and diversity.

Jaime Black-Morsette, a visionary Metis Artist

Across North America, May 5th stands as a time to remember and honour the spirit and story of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Included in this honor are girls, transgender, and two-spirit persons in Canada. (MMIWG2S+). The REDress Project by Jaime Black-Morsette was how Canada recognized the day of conception.

The REDress Project at the National Museum of the American Indian Courtesy of Smithsonian NMAI 2019

She Lights the Fire

Jaime Black-Morsette is a Red River Métis artist and activist who lives and works in her home territory alongside the rivers of Manitoba. Cathy Merrick has described her as a visionary Métis artist. In 2009, the internationally recognized The REDress Project was conceptualized by Jaime Black.

The project was born in 2010 as an art installation. It shaped itself with empty red dresses hanging from the ceiling of a room. Its symbolism was addressing the unspoken epidemic of MMIWG2S+. This exhibit grew into a movement that represents the injustices and violence towards Indigenous female-identifying populations.

Earlier in 2025, Jaime compiled a collective book, “REDress; Art, Action, and the Power of Presence,”. It evolved from a group production of images, poems, and stories. The contributors are women who have been on the frontline of this advocacy for the MMIWG2S+. To this day, red dresses and other such adornments are worn on May 5th to remember all those who have gone, plus honour and support those left behind.

REDress Project Globally

In 2017, May 5th became the National Day of Recognition for MMIW, which was formalized in Montana by a Senate Resolution. Since then, the symbolism of the empty red dress has emerged in both public and private spaces. This symbol aligns with the recognition of MMIWG2S+. On May 4th, 2025, Jaime read from the newly published book. This reading took place at the Human Rights Museum in Manitoba to honour the day.

Jaime’s quest for justice through the REDress Project was inspired, in part, by the women of Bogota, Colombia. During a conference in 2009, she witnessed a ceremony. This powerful honouring ceremony of the missing, MEMORIA DE LA AUSENCIA (Memory of the Missing) is held annually by the women of the community. During a 2024 webinar on the “Art and Power of Presence”, Jaime talks about the power that the imagery held for her.

Video by carloszatizabal Published in 2010

Amnesty International describes REDress Day as a day when the wearing and draping of the red dress is a symbol of the fight for justice. Also, the choice of red is significant because in many Indigenous cultures, it is the only colour spirits can see. REDress Day matters because it makes the invisible visible.

Artistic Influences and Pathways

The Manitoba-based Metis, Anishinaabe, Cree, and European woman was into art from the time she could hold a pencil. However, her art career would have to take a back seat for a time. Initially, in 2008, she earned her English and Education degree. While teaching at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in The Pas, Manitoba, she found herself developing art curricula as well as writing.

In the early 2000s, her Metis grandfather passed. She decided it was time to come back to her original calling. She felt it was important to honour her grandfather’s spirit and story. Jaime says, “It was around that time that I came up with the red dress project. I decided that in a very certain way, this is what I am going to do. I’m going to use my gifts to help others.” I think it was that decision that just really pushed everything forward after that.” She told Alison Tedford Seaweed, contributing writer for Future Pathways, during an interview.

RED DRESS Project 4 by Jaime Black-Morsette Image Courtesy of Artist’s website

Jaime reflectively noted other pivotal points that were calling her. One such example was the book she read when she was 17 years old. The Book of Jessica, by Maria Campbell and Linda Griffiths, describes the story of a young Metis woman moving to the city. Interestingly, the cover of the book features a painting of an empty red dress.

Later, two conferences held in Bogota, Colombia, and in Germany contributed to coalescing her trajectory. For example, during the conference in Germany, Jaime witnessed Jo-Ann Episkenew discuss the 500+ Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women of Canada to a European audience.

In that moment, Jaime saw and heard the power of what was happening in her country and to her people; the silence in the room was deafening. It was time for the spirits, memories, and stories of these women to be heard.

IMPORTANT LINKS:


Jaime Black Morsette’s WEBSITE

WIKIPEDIA Red Dress Project

Native Women’s Association of Canada (Safe Passage)

National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (USA)

Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos (Beijaflor); Filmmaker; Producer; Director

Over a year ago, my attention was captured during a Facebook Reels scroll. An image of various women standing amongst a barren rocky hillside in long, Grecian-style, white cotton dresses mesmerized me.  

“Ask the Plantain” by Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos

Each of Jaime Leigh’s (JL) films gives a megaphone to previously silenced voices. The films advocate for social and environmental justice. At the same time, many of her films also delve into ancestral themes.

In the most recent film, “Our Grandmother the Inlet”, JL teams up with Kayah George. Kayah George is Rueben George’s daughter and Chief Dan George’s Great-Granddaughter.  The film features George and her grandmother, Ta7a. “The film is a reciprocal love letter to the Inlet. It portrays Kayah’s connection to the water. In the Tsleil-Waututh culture, water is considered to be their oldest grandmother and place of creation.”  ⁠On June 1st, there is a special showing and artist talk at Museum of Vancouver from 1:00-2:30pm. Tickets are available on MOV website.

Big Sky Documentary Film Festival post January 11, 2024

“Her Stories” Historical Record

Jaime Leigh’s (JL) filmography is deep and wide, both figuratively and literally. One of the earlier works, “What About Our Future?” became an award-winning piece about climate action, inspired by young people, including the “Sustainabiliteens”. It continues to be utilized by secondary schools as a component of their curriculum.

Another notable film was “The Boys Who Braid Their Hair”, a short documentary commissioned by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Health & Wellness Department. JL was the director and editor on this project. The film discusses the importance and cultural significance of braids and hair length for Indigenous men. This short film weaves artistic captions with a variety of storytelling narratives. These stories both engage and educate the viewer.

Recently, JL, supported by the BOLDLY team, directed Desiree Dawson’s music video, “Mountain Tops”. The 6-minute production combines music video with documentary-style storytelling. This powerful music/doc features Desiree Dawson’s song interspersed with her friends discussing personal challenges and successes. The stories end with a cameo appearance by JL alongside Dawson’s harmony “… sing it from the mountain tops…”.

Personally Speaking

Production team behind Our Grandmother the Inlet. Angelica Stripe, Kayah George, Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos, Shelby Manton

JL was a young 19-year-old early film student when a mentoring director shut her down amidst one of her initial productions. It caused her to step back from the art. However, once she found her footing again, she came back with a force. This was one of those turning points in careers. Now, she is adamant about giving voice to others.

On the flip side, her first experience in film is what made her consider filmmaking. In high school, a leadership program brought her together with like-minded individuals to create “What about our Future?”. She states in an article with an Arizona news agency. “I realized my childhood dream of filmmaking was an actual possibility that could become a career. I never underestimate the power one person can have on the direction of our lives.”

In her 2023 film, “Ask the Plantain,” JL relates her ancestor’s story. In this short bio-narrative, the film recounts how immigrant grandparents left their homeland of Greece to find a better life. The story progresses by bringing the granddaughter full circle. Meanwhile, the film weaves the mythological tale of Persephone into it and gives a narrative fullness.  

JL’s films capture themes of “belonging, identity, and in some cases, reconnecting to our ancestral roots”. We can all find a connection here, inevitably bringing us together.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

WEBSITE ; VIMEO Page ; INSTAGRAM

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The Evolution of Fashion Trends in 2020

Vancouver Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2021 will be held on October 24 and 25, 2020. Fashion has been undertaking a huge rethink in how it navigates itself. During COVID, most retail outlets have been shuttered especially those founded on non-essential items such as apparel, sporting goods, furniture and most anything outside of the basics. Over and above this, the climate as well as human rights are becoming tantamount issues.

Waste a Lot, Want Not

If fashion retailers weren’t proactively using online sales and marketing, they soon had to pivot their companies or fall to the wayside in the race for a shrinking global consumer. As well, over the last decade, the fast fashion industry is reluctantly coming face to face with their impacts on the environment.

https://www.ecowatch.com/sustainable-fashion-2646356550.html?rebelltitem=4#rebelltitem4

The current consumer generation are making companies take notice as their buying habits shift. In 2019, Nielsen did a survey on the consumer habits. They found that younger consumers were concerned about their effect on the environment. According to the survey, 53% of those aged 21 to 34 said they’d give up a brand-name product in order to buy an environmentally friendly one, compared with 34% of those ages 50 through 64. Meanwhile in a recent European survey done on consumer trends, a majority of shoppers are concerned how their habits would affect the current COVID crisis while just over half of that number were choosing to shop locally putting less strain on the supply chain as well as supporting their local businesses.

A Pioneer in Sustainable Fashion

In a recent Amanpour & Company episode, Christian Amanpour interviewed Stella McCartney.  During the interview, McCartney discusses her brand of fashion in this current era. The fashion house is about “doing more with less” says McCartney. Challenging the current standard in fashion houses, where if there is excess in a production run, it is buried or burned to maintain design integrity. However, McCartney is always striving to reach the pinnacle of sustainability. No longer considered the “eco weirdo”, McCartney reflects on how to make her vegan-friendly sustainable fashion house better. McCartney created her own fashion label using principles based on ethical consumption practices back in 2001 as she launched the self-titled fashion house with Kering, previously Gucci. Finally, in 2018, she bought out Kering’s stake in the company and took full control of the helm. In December of the same year, she collaborated with the United Nations to come up with a new fashion industry charter for climate action.


Bloomberg Philanthropies; Creating sustainable fashion to curb climate change Dec. 21, 2018

Falling in Line

Following quickly behind McCartney’s footsteps, Kering’s CEO, François-Henri Pinault, gathered together a group of fashion industry leaders to create the 2019 Fashion Pact. The coalition of companies discussed how they would proactively reduce their impact on the climate. The Fashion Pact was presented to Heads of State at the G7 Summit in Biarritz by President Emmanuel Macron. However, in the list of signatories, there are only 2 manufacturers. Meanwhile, some of the biggest impacts on the environment come from this area of its industry. At the Copenhagen Fashion Summit (CFS+) held on October 12-13, the Fashion Pact had a live panel discussion. However, they failed to establish quantifiable targets. There was also no talk about how the brands are failing the garment workers and suppliers during this global pandemic. One of the panel speakers, Paul Polman, says things need to be “pushed as aggressively as possible” although “the industry alone cannot enact the change needed,” referencing governments and policymakers about the other aspects of the industry. 

Reframing Fashion

Determined to make change happen, grassroots fashion retailers and designers are revisioning their industry from the ground up. Many of the sustainable and ethical fashion innovators are local grassroots businesses. Of course, this should be to no surprise but what is surprising is the holistic nature to which they approach their business. Each company chooses a focus and envelops it with complete fervor. For example, the Girlfriend Collective prides itself on its transparency. The collective produces sustainable, ethically made activewear that also focuses on inclusive sizing. The materials include recycled plastic bottles and recycled fishing nets. Meanwhile, the manufacturing is performed in an SA8000-certified factory that guarantees fair wages, safe and healthy conditions for employees, and absolutely no child labor. Learn the specific details on their “about” page.

Another local design collective with similar aspirations will be presenting their designs at the upcoming Vancouver Fashion Week. Faun Studios of Calgary, AB manufactures sustainably and ethically in the designer’s mother’s home country of Vietnam. Marisa P. Clark, the designer of Faun Studio, also launched BOCCA imports. Likewise, this passion project donates 100% of the proceeds to her mother’s charity, B.T. Mekong Education Association, that supports education in rural Vietnam. It appears our current generation is paving the path for all to follow.  For more information on other conscientious fashion, choices check out the Arcadia Blog feature “10 Sustainable Clothing Companies.”