Shifting your gaze: ‘Negus’, a dynamic and revolutionary approach to fine art.

One of Brooklyn’s finest, a child of hip-hop’s Golden Era and regarded as one of the genre’s most introspective and insightful artists, Yasiin Bey more commonly known as Mos Def has shaped a career that exceeds the boundaries that persist within musical genres and artistic expression. Bey has been garnering attention his entire career, confronting challenging social issues through his music with his wit and wordplay- particularly about the black experience in America and the world at large, through an Afrocentric lens. With Negus, maybe his most audacious artistic endeavor yet, it has landed him both praise and impertinent scrutiny from some about his undertaking of such a daring artistic endeavor.

Negus is a royal title in Ge` ez, an ancient Ethiopian Semitic language that denotes a monarch and which has been used to translate the words “king” or “emperor” in literature. It is used as the title to the current audio-visual installation at the Brooklyn Museum of his latest studio recording. Delivered through the usage of wireless headphones, the 28-minute long album will not be released in any digital or analog mediums, and is touted as an artistic experience devoid of “the distractions of technology.” Bey called upon the talents of various contemporary visual artists such as Julie Mehretu, Ala Ebtekar among others and commissioned them to create works (in collaboration with Bey) specifically for the installation after hearing the album. This dynamic and revolutionary approach to artistic creativity continues the upward trend of Rap solidifying its claim as fine art.

Courtesy of The Third Line.

In a recent interview, Bey proposed that his approach seeks to remove the hard line of what is considered fine art- not limiting it to only something one can hang on a wall, but extending it to music, specifically hip-hop music. He saught dynamism in the experience of art by uniquely juxtaposing the traditional museum experience. This juxtaposition boldly infringes upon the long-held fallacy of what it is to be cultured in the traditional fine art sphere, where a cultural gap has always been present between refined high art enjoyed and advertized in white history and culture, and art of people of color. An essay was written recently on Pitchfork.com about the exhibition which expressed a somewhat distant view of this insightful undertaking in art and dismayingly so, highlighted the troubling thought that art may just be losing its aesthetic appeal, even to those among us who rely on its longevity for inspiration.

Photo by Tiffany Sage/BFA.com

The essay partly assumes that the combination of hip hop music and fine art is a plea for validation from the art establishment, to rescue the genre from its assumed lower class. The success surrounding this long documented courtship of fine art and hip hop is widely debated with varying opinions, but historically the relationship has always been present. Rap’s early marriage with graffiti art in the early 80’s sparked the growing influence of art in the genre. With each era however where we see a change in artistic expression, the dynamics surrounding its relationship with music simply repositions itself to further fuel the debate. From artists like Jay- Z and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs indicating their wealth through the purchase of multi-million dollar artwork, to the increasing number of music videos with embedded visuals of paintings and sculpture, we see that this romance has matured to what Yasiin Bey helped to curate.

The Negus installation is yet another attempt at enlightening us to the powerful influence of black culture, which seeks no validation nor kowtows for attention. From artists like Kehinde Wiley, Isis Kenney (@icewatercandy) and Thomas Evans (@detour303), it is evident that fine art and hip hop have found a life-long marriage that bridge the cultural divide, and stands face to face with the conventions of classism. I further assert that once more, black culture has found yet another way to penetrate the fine art canon, and continue to dispel misconceptions surrounding our ability to pioneer and shape the future. Furthermore, as artists and creators, let us continue this trend of black excellence fueled by unabated creativity and live by the words of Thomas Evans “Be the artist that you would want to meet.”

 

 

 

 

Window To My Soul Exhibition

 

The reception for the Window To My Soul Exhibition commenced on June 4th at the Athens Public Library, in beautiful Athens Ohio. The exhibition was a mixture of some of my most poignant earlier work that has resonated well with a wide audience, plus a few newer pieces that cohesively blend into my artistic vision and body of work.

 

 

The exhibit displayed 10 pieces, from limited edition prints to original paintings. It called for each visitor to have a sense of connectivity with fine art; connectivity that is increasingly lacking, as fine art is being vastly devalued because of what I believe is the de-sensitivity to it, partly as a result of the oversaturation of the market with bad or meaningless art. In my artist talk which is an important presentation at all my exhibitions, I challenged each individual to engage in provocative conversations surrounding each work as they engage with the symbology embedded in every piece.

Peilian Wu

 

I had the opportunity to share the space with another phenomenal artist, Peilian Wu. In her own words, Wu explains that her artwork is “influenced by formulas in traditional Chinese paintings which can be traced back to texture strokes in Ming landscape painting.” Her interpretation of the Ohio landscape in this style was a refreshing take on the natural beauty of the area, which I as a fellow international artist have come to love and represent in my own art. What I admired most about her work is her conveyance of cultural identity through her traditional style, which is seen as a direct extension of herself as a Chinese artist.

 

It was nice to see a few familiar faces who supported my previous shows in Athens, but even better to see some new faces who got introduced to brand ABFA that evening. My gratitude extends to each and every person who attended the exhibit and to those who helped to make it a complete success.

Myself and Curator Todd Bastin

 With another exhibition under my belt in Athens, I set my sights on surrounding towns in Ohio, aiming to diversify their artistic landscape and open doors of opportunity for artists of color like myself who have found a home in hidden gems across the American landscape similar to Athens Ohio.

 

 

 

 

 

Artistic License​

 

As artists, we have the right to express our interpretations through artistic license, free from being held strictly accountable for accuracy and, to be free from those who wish to suppress our freedom in creativity. Artists are notorious for creating their works from the inspiration that may arise in being exposed to other original ideas but are interpreted differently. This partly drives new and innovative art and awards us with keys to open new doors in interpreting and representing what is in our own heads.

Bouncing Ideas

Artistic license has always played a major role in my career, for I find inspiration in just about anything. I remember while growing up- and even still today- pouring over magazines and picture books that simply stretch my imagination. I may twirl the idea around in my head all day, just to get a feel of each minute part which will all harmonize and coexist in a composition. With all these fresh and exciting variations, each jostling to find a foothold, it is very important to apply a method of ideation which will help isolate the useful gems of information that will allow your own creative interpretations to be applied. When dealing with a reference photo or something that has already been created, be mindful your final piece isn’t a replica, unless it is identified as a copy of the original.

Flying Too Close To the Sun.

One of the attributes of ideation is that it is open to constant change, and with artistic license, you are free to represent those ideas however you wish. Challenges may arise however, for with a lack of correct information an artist may find his/ herself having to explain why a certain element takes on a certain appearance, especially in representational work or realism. With this thought in mind, it is possible to unintentionally use artistic license which may be to the demise of what could be a rather good composition, especially if it is of a more artistically ambitious or complex subject matter.

Take for example being an artist in Westen civilization and attempting to convey historical events or the like from Eastern civilization. Without accurate and detailed information, representing events would be vastly different and even grossly erroneous based on misinterpreted accounts. The artist may not be deliberately trying to misrepresent the inspiration, but not having the correct knowledge, he/she knows no better.

Feel free as an artist to find inspiration in the works of other artists. Inspiration is a very personal experience, but never should you feel reticent to disclose where it came from because of a fear of opinions about originality. Ideas exist in a free world and artists are oftentimes the ones with the inclination to snag them and create works of art.

 

 

On The Easel Today.

On my easel today I have yet another landscape painting, and you know well my love of creating beautiful landscape and seascape pieces. In this new work, I intended on portraying the majestic beauty of clouds and the effect they have in this work of art. In the piece, perspective plays a vital role, and this is primarily as a result of the clouds. Take a look below.

 

 

In landscape art, the understanding and usage of values and the principle of perspective is the most important thing to consider. In representing nature, one has to capture the essence of 3-dimensional space on a 2-dimensional surface, so the sense of depth is essential and is achieved through the proper treatment of the elements contained in a composition. Even in non-representational paintings such as abstract landscape painting, the paint can be used skillfully to convey depth. This is where Atmospheric Perspective can come into play. The clouds in the artwork recede into the distance, taking your eyes along a visual path deep into the horizon. Pay close attention to the cloud formations and their relationship with perspective, coupled with their direction in the composition.

 

Like many of my other “scapes”,  they boast a deep understanding of how to achieve depth in an artwork. Always paint with the principles and elements of art in mind. They are your framework for successful representations and connecting visually to your audience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading Between the Lines. Draw More.

 

Drawing has always been a BIG part of my life.  My love for drawing started when I was quite young.  During those early days of my engagement with print media, I was mesmerized by the Hardy Boys illustrative Classics and Archie comics, and I started to draw “childlike” creations of what I was reading. My love for drawing remains true till this day, and it is the basis of my illustrative paintings – and let’s think about it, every great painting begins with the act of drawing to some degree.

While in school, I learned to utilize my ability to sketch and draw to my advantage. Essentially, I was able to encapsulate the large volumes of information presented during lectures in sketches, and sometimes in detailed drawings. One had to be “quick on the draw” to keep up. This led to a personal discovery of my most astute ability- my visual/spacial intelligence.

A recent post on Fast Company highlighted recent research done by the University of Waterloo, Ontario that discovered that drawing is particularly beneficial for older adults regarding memory. This is so because certain regions of the brain dealing with memory remain intact in spite of aging. As human beings age, the brain deteriorates; oftentimes leading to diseases that affect memory like dementia and Alzheimer’s, so episodic memory is directly affected. What is interesting however, is that while structures like the hippocampus in the brain (thanks Fallout 4) that deal with memory retrieval and coding may deteriorate, regions associated with visuospacial skills remain mostly intact, and this is what aids in the memory retention despite the effects of aging.

  

Illustrations by Adrian Blake.

There are myriads of studies that prove the positive correlation between drawing and memory development and retention. Each individual has unique skills and talents, and I know that not everyone will become famous artists and illustrators. However, if only for the fact that drawing promotes memory retention in humans as they age, or simply just passing the time without the guilt of wasting it, it is a good enough reason for everyone to explore their creativity and simply draw more. For as Paul Klee said: “A drawing is simply a line going for a walk.”

 

 

 

 

On The Easel Today.

On the Easel Today features a painting that boasts some of the most powerful imagery yet in my portfolio. This piece, still untitled contains the image of two figures: a male and a female- with the male figure laying in languid repose and the female figure closely embracing him in her lap. The idea behind this piece suggests that her embrace is one filled with sorrow- but is it only, as she holds him with her hand over his face? What could she be feeling or saying to you the viewer?

As with other paintings I have done before, I leave the door open for interpretation. You can decide if he is alive. You can decide what she may be feeling based off the emotion on her face and body language. I will leave it up to you to have a story in your mind as to the possible explanation of this piece.

 

 

 

 

The Black Artist And The Negotiation Of Identity.

Many more black artists could have been recognized and even celebrated as the traditional masters of the art word are today, had it not been for the color of their skin. Black artists try to penetrate the stereotype and show that despite the difficulties, we deserve recognition and praise for continuously navigating challenges to our breakthrough and longevity in the art world. We oftentimes end up negotiating our identity, rarely breaking the glass ceiling to success and even stardom as a result of the compromise we are ushered to embrace.

[When The Rain Comes- Adrian Blake]

The struggle to define oneself being a black artist, and to find one’s identity in the art world that will propel us on a global scale is not something that is taught or even attained via a degree from a prestigious institution. I believe that success is innate in us, but suppressed.  It is manifested eventually through embracing our black history, applying knowledge from our experiences and understanding the minutiae of our existence and individual calling as black artists. But more importantly, having the desire to change the disproportionate balance of power that has played a role in our endeavors.

The negotiation of identity for black artists is far more complicated however, because we are constantly being steered towards what is commercially profitable or towards social acceptance. That is the experience of the black artist. It does not necessarily point us toward our own talent and freedom of expression; which if widely accepted, would be a conduit to the fulfillment of being revered as great artistic minds throughout history. So many black artists nowadays are embattled between simply being refered to as an artist and being identified as a black artist, as if being referred to as just an “artist” gives a subliminal validation of acceptance.

[Kehinde Wiley. Photo by Chad Batka]

Artists such as Kehinde Wiley challenged “the visual vocabulary and conventions of glorification, history, wealth and prestige” – kehindewiley.com  using images of black and brown men and women throughout the world. He being the consummate modern day (black) master portraitist, surpassing the archetypal role of black artists throughout history, sets the bar high, because of bold and historic artistic statements in his works. His initiative to educate those like him to aspire to greatness through self discovery and acceptance is profound. He refused to negotiate his identity; embracing his black history, applying his knowledge and understanding that his existence as a black man is in need of representation in art.

[Artwork by Kehinde Wiley]

As we evolve as artists, especially black artists it is our duty to counter those longstanding stereotypes and break the glass ceiling that cripples our creativity, in hopes of changing minds and opening doors that have long been kept shut. Remain steadfast in your creative freedom, refuse to succumb to the pressure of creating mere ‘popular’ art and art for arts sake.

A mash-up of Universes.

[Photo illustration @robyniko]

Recently I stumbled upon a post by Mark Wilson of Fastcompany.com titled “ Famous modernist homes get horrifying Thomas Kinkade makeover”. Architect @robyniko explored the dramatic effects of the worlds that Thomas Kinkade creates with the addition of modern architecture by creating a series of “Kinkade mash-ups”. The title of the post caught my attention, for in this case the use of the word “horrifying” may just be a bit too harsh of an assessment.

[Photo illustration @robyniko]

The fusion of modernism and traditional art is becoming increasingly important in the 21^stcentury. Thanks to Cara Greenberg who coined the phrase mid- century modernism for her book Mid-Century Modernism: Future of the 1950’s tremendous strides have been made in the movement, and since then artists and painters like myself have become increasingly more open to ideas of fusion of the differing aspects of each method of art creation. There is however the question of aesthetics and its importance- and furthermore the impact that will be had if or when modernism is introduced.

[Photo illustration @robyniko]

In my own assessment of each piece, I believe inharmonious is more suitable. As much as the editing to create each piece was masterfully done, based on what we know of Kinkade’s work, the introduction of modernist architecture is not as seamless as the innate aesthetic of his original creations.  This is a fresh, new take on artwork that has been a part of many homes worldwide for decades. Needless to say however, the reactions to @robyniko’s work have been mixed. The works have been well received by a wide audience; despite being almost polar opposite of Kinkade’s romanticized downhome feel.

2017 Year in Review.

It is hard to believe that yet another year has gone so quickly. It still seems like it was yesterday I was entering my first art exhibition in high school. 2017 was a year of new and valuable experiences. I was apart of four exhibitions, got introduced to gallery operations and the exhibition process and was even tapped to be as a guest speaker. With a few goals in mind, the ball got rolling fast, and the entire year proved to be a very productive one for Adrian Blake Fine Art.

       

The year began with the creation of one of my most visually compelling illustrations, “When the Rain Comes”, which proved to be a favorite in the exhibitions I was apart of. My first solo exhibition Freedom in Creativity turned out to be a tremendous event, planned perfectly to fall on my birthday, so it was a two-in-one celebration. The turnout surpassed my expectations and the support from those who attended made it even more special.

Doors kept opening after my solo exhibition, and I ended up in three other exhibitions that year: The Introspection Art Exhibition held in Cleveland Ohio, the In the Margins Exhibition held in Athens Ohio and Majestic National Juried Exhibition in Nelsonville Ohio. At each of these exhibitions I had the privilege to interact with some extremely creative artists, most notably Robert Peppers- art professor at Ohio University, who curated and also displayed works in the exhibition in Cleveland.

 

 

 

Adrian Blake, ASU Presentation 2017

The opportunity to be a guest speaker at the annual African Students Union Gala at Ohio University presented itself, and I embraced it with open arms. At the event I spoke about taking the responsibility as creative individuals; being aware of the things taking place in our society, and realizing that we can directly affect change through our creativity. This end of year event along with the completion of my Beauty Strength and Grace series of paintings culminated one of my most memorable, productive and inspirational years as an artist. 

 

2018 has begun friends, and with it new challenges and opportunities will be faced. I give a big thank you to all who supported Adrian Blake Fine Art in 2017, for with each of you I create more confidently knowing that I have earned that support through art that connects with each of you in their own unique way.  

 

Beauty, Strength and Grace, A Series.

 

“Dipped in chocolate, bronzed in elegance, enameled with grace, toasted with beauty, my lord, she’s a black woman.” – Dr.Yosef Ben-Jochannan. Dr. Ben said it perfectly, echoing some of my own thoughts when it comes to the Black woman. Skin color and culture aside however, my series of paintings titled Beauty, Strength and Grace express my feelings towards the traits I believe the ideal woman possesses and demonstrates.

Complete Surrender

Beauty. “ True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.”- Audrey Hepburn. As much as beauty can be superficial, and be defined through outward characteristics, it should be more of a combination of factors that aid in the realization of the essence of true beauty. In my painting Complete Surrender my subject represents that outward beauty, but also that inward beauty that makes what the eyes see so much more appealing.

 

 

 

Blissful Reminiscence.

Strength. “She’s been through more hell than you’ll ever know, but that’s what gives her beauty an edge”. – Alfa. This trait manifests itself well when one is under duress, and to some extent is the defining characteristic of a person’s existence. Throughout my life I’ve seen strength demonstrated by the two women who have helped to make me into the man I am today, my mother and grandmother. Their sacrifices, sweat, tears and resilience are represented in my painting “Blissful Reminiscence.”

 

 

Finally Free. 

Grace. “ Grace is the beauty of form under the influence of freedom.”- Friedrich Schiller. In Finally Free, my subject has found her liberating force, and in doing so puts on display that gracefulness a woman develops when she finally knows who she is, despite adversity. That moment of acceptance of who she was and the realization of who she truly is meant to be as a result of her triumph.