Art Gallery

Taking words from the poem “Strange Fruit” and photo images of lynchings, I illustrated the tree, magnolias and people (onlookers) repeating the 3 dimensional black face as a link to the piece “It’s in the History”. As I created this piece, I listened to a song created by Joey Bada$$ - Land of the Free, where he questioned and made statements about the state of current and past events of Black people.

As I was making it (the Noose) via instructions from the internet, I found myself thinking “there is so much hate in the world, in this country and how powerful it is (hate) that someone would take the time to make something in order to harm another”. This was one of the reasons that I decided to put a tangible noose on the canvas as opposed to painting one. It needed to stand out, to make a statement, to be real.

In this piece the tree is an olive tree. The olive tree represents peace and friendship which is totally in opposition of the concept of lynching. The representation of the olive tree is a sign of hope that one day, well you know! The pinkish ovals represent the onlookers that I saw in the many photo images as I did my research. They link this piece to the Land of the Free.

The Pandemic Series inspired by the 2020 COVID19 pandemic.

This past year (2020) was a year that forced all of us to rethink how we do and live. The concepts of my paintings evolve around the change of doing and living, reflecting on moments and inspired by witnessing events as they occurred. In creating the "Gloves on the Ground", I used disposable gloves to create the impression on the canvas by squeezing tubes of paint in my hands. "Inner City Blues" was created from the many images from this years protest and the feeling of helplessness as I witnessed everything that happened. "Destine for Power" allowed me to re-direct my thoughts by focusing on positive change, self reflection and sense of renewal. Innovation was and continues to be crucial to my process.

Inspired by the many disposable gloves I encounter as I walk to and from the bus stop and as I walk from my car to the grocery store and as I take walks in my neighborhood. So many various kinds and colors. Just one of the many ways in which today, at this moment in time that we have to protect ourselves and others. A form of protection that was normal, expected and required for Doctors, Nurses, Dentists and Scientist but has now become the norm for today's society. A reflection and reminder of how fragile life can be.

Created two years prior to the pandemic, Hope is the representation of the love for community, the people and the environment in which it is needed. Hope is the desire to pursue a need for unified existence of love for one’s self and one’s neighbor. Neighbor being those who you are connected with and those who you have yet to connect with. Hope is the foundation in which the pursuit manifests...the “do something” attitude in which hope is carried.

My charge for the "STOP HATE" painting was to create an interpretive piece, which engages the issues of hate within the Black community and the hate placed on the Black community. Current circumstances are the inspiration behind the use of red black and green colors as well as the purple which represents our royal heritage as African decedents.

Inspired by the many civil rights photographs and my son's selfie, is the canvas, "I AM MAN". It reminded me of the many injustices placed on Black men. The selfie reflects my son’s moments in thought as he rides the train home from school and from work.

In the summer of 2020, my place of work was effected by the looting. I was asked by my employer to create "something" on the boarded windows and door. In collaboration with a high school artist we designed and painted words and images of community, encouragement and empowerment. "We are proud to serve our community" and "Black Love is POWER." covered the entrance of the UPS store on 35th and King Drive for a few months.

The Famine Series was created in the late1980's. Inspired by the cover of TIME magazine as well as the article about famine in Ethiopia. The Madonna and Child reflecting the pain and illness due to malnutrition. The painting of children drinking from a dirty faucet reflecting the thirst that is accompanied with hunger.