Artist Statement:

As a Black artist in America, the source for my paintings, my work, comes from media, advertising, pop culture, history, and persistent denigrations and public discourse. I base my paintings on the concept of race and the normalization of social inequities born solely out of privilege based on skin tone. I intend to expose narratives designed to interfere with truth, advancement, and a release from the chains that have given rise to an unjust dominance hierarchy and reveal the power, resilience, and beauty of those who are forced to carry the resulting burden. 

 2 Up and 2 Back II is a selected body of work dating back to the 1980s, which traces the genesis of a two-part exhibition (Part I was shown at Disjecta Contemporary Art Center, Fall 2019). The primary theme of 2 Up and 2 Back is the systemic racial oppression of Blacks. Every time we, as a society, push forward on issues of racial inequities, the status quo pushes back, and those who have higher standing are allowed to remain in power. I seek to invite the viewer to examine their frame of reference and ideologies, and through this engagement, find empathy and understanding by seeing others in ourselves.

We live in an interesting time, and American politics on race and identity are explosive to the point where America appears to be on the precipice of a cliff. Overt demonstration of bias, racism, and hate at all levels of the American citizenry are chilling. We must ask ourselves what it will take to find the socially equitable solutions that will solve further social division. I believe the burden and responsibility fall on us because we are here.