Elements of A revolution

CURATED BY
LISA DAWN TAYLOR, LESSIE VENARDO DIXON & KEVIN SIPP

Elements of a Revolution gathers a national group of curators and visual artists who have responded through their work to the ongoing fight for equity in American and global society. Each of the artists in this exhibition brings a unique and committed eye to expressing the emotions and documenting the moments of a social justice movement that seeks to lead American Society toward uncompromising and inclusive wellbeing

Kevin A. Williams / WAK

Kevin A. Williams is an artist on a mission, but his is no solo trip: He wants to take you on the journey, too. His destination is a place where more African-Americans will appreciate, own and even create fine art that honors their rich heritage and hope filled destiny. So far, tens of thousands of people have willingly followed Williams to that vista – including talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, and actor comedian Bernie Mac. From celebrity homes to small businesses, corporate offices and women’s spas, Williams’ original and lithograph artwork hangs from coast to coast. As the best-selling artist in the African-American print market, Williams is a popular personality at national art shows, conferences of African-American groups and major international events, including the Essence Music Festival. His art has been featured on television’s “Law & Order” (NBC) and “Soul Food” (Showtime). An artist who has received no formal training Williams’ success has been in what some may call non-traditional methods of reaching art consumers. Kevin A. Williams/WAK Urban Fine Artist CEO, WAKART, LLC

Sebron Grant

Andres Chaparro

Andres Chaparro is a mixed media painter and collagist whose bold and expressive art captures the essence of jazz music. Chaparro's has served as the face of the Montclair Jazz Festival for six consecutive years and has been the featured artwork for the Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC, Soul In The Horn, NYC, & published in the book “Making The Cut, Volume 1, The World’s Best Collage Artists” by Crooks Press in Australia. As his work continues to rise in recognition and collected by art and music lovers around the globe, Andres continues to refine his own visual vocabulary through his focus on the intersection between art and music. Said The Shackles Series: Much of my work has been rooted in Jazz consequently having a element of social awareness. My recent series of work entitled “Said The Shackles” is inspired by history and recent incidents of Police Brutality throughout the country. I want this series of work to amplify the need for social change and express the anguish of the oppressed. “Said The Shackles” deals with the violence inflicted on black people and the indigenous native American and it is my intention and belief that this work plays a crucial role in our society and inspiring change.

1. Freedom Cry 2020, mix media collage 2. Freedom Can’t Wait 2020, mix media collage 3. In Prayer and Protest 2020, mix media collage
4. Said The Shackles 2020, mix media collage 5. Indigenous 2020, mix media collage 6. A Mother’s Cry 2020, mix media collage 7. Yet We Rise 2020, mix media collage
8. Freedom Day 2019, mix media collage 9. Revolution 2020, mix media collage 10. I Am A Man 2020, mix media collage.

Mohammad Javad Jahangir

Mohammad Javad Jahangir is an Iranian photographer who lives in Atlanta. He graduated with an M.F.A. from Georgia State University. Mohammad studied Art at Vije and Mahemehr art institutes in Tehran and also Has a B.A in Law from Kharazmi University. The dominant theme in his work is distinguished by observation of his surroundings and an ongoing investigation of the photographic medium’s foundations through code and software. He has participated in an art residency in Viafarini organization for contemporary art in Milan, Italy in 2015. He has held various exhibitions around the world, is shown in many museums such as Tehran Museum of contemporary art, The Craft & Folk Art Museum in LA, US. Jahangir is an honorable member of the Institute for Promotion of Contemporary Visual Art, Tehran, Iran, National Iranian Photographers’ Society (NIPS) and International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP).

Jamaal Barber

Jamaal Barber is a creative imaginative soul who was born in Virginia and raised in Littleton, North Carolina. At a young age he was fascinated by the aesthetic images and vivid illustrations in children’s books and comic books. He soon started creating images of his own on the back of his textbooks in elementary school and on any other material that he could find. He finally answered the call to become an artist after reading about the legacy and life of Romare Bearden in high school. In 2013, after seeing a screenprinting demo at a local art store, Jamaal started experimenting with printmaking and made it his primary focus. His fine art can be seen on display at the ZuCot Gallery. It has also been included in the Decatur Arts Festival, Atlanta Print Biennial Show and at various art shows around the Metro Atlanta area. Additionally, Jamaal has done print work for Black Art in America and Emory University. In 2004, Jamaal moved to Atlanta, GA where he now resides with his wife and two children.

Images:
1. The Builder 2. I Am 3. History pt 1 4. I could 5. Compliments 6. Same Song, Different Day 7. To Be Free

Lessie Venardo Dixon

Lessie Venardo Dixon is an American Fine Artist who has been drawing since he “could hold a pencil.”  Raised in Henning, TN, Chicago, IL is were Lessie discovered his love for art.  In 1991, Lessie relocated to Gallatin, Tennessee, He is a decorated alumnus of Nossi College of Art.  He obtained his first commissioned job in only his second semester of college from R. H. Boyd Publishing Company.  He has been the recipient of numerous awards and he is accomplished in the art of children’s Illustration, comic, and realism, and in the mediums of line art and graphite.  Lessie found a new passion in 2003, the fine art of the portrait and plein air oil painting. His style of painting is modeled after the works of “Masters” such as John Singer Sargent, Andrew Zorn, and Everett Raymond Kinstler.  He has mentorship from two incredible individuals, Michael Shane Neal and Dawn E. Whitelaw. Both renowned artists, Mr. Neal and Mrs. Whitelaw have been tremendous influences and teachers to Lessie. They are artistic descendents of one of today’s legends, Everett Raymond Kinstler, whose style is reminiscent of Sargent’s.

As an artist, he prides himself on his lifelong journey to improve. A artisan that relishes the challenge of each of the works that he creates. Refusing to rely on talent alone. Mr. Dixon is passionate about creating a body of work that represents the best he can be at that moment in time. He paints in different genres including symbolism, still life, abstract and portrait painting. The artist paints every piece uniquely. The portrait will capture the essence of the subject, allowing the painting to speak truth into the volume. In a musical piece, the painting reflects movement, energy and sound. Abstract paintings will convey a mood and encourage the viewer to ask questions. The world of art is always evolving, however true art will be preserved for years to come.

Lessie is a member of the Tennessee Portrait Society, the Tennessee Artist Guild, the Chicago Artists Coalition, the National Afro American Museum and Cultural Center, the African American Visual Artist Guild and the Portrait Society of America.

Michael A. Fitzgerald
M Thrē Photography

Michael A Fitzgerald. M Thrē Photography. Husband. Father. Chicago.

Dwayne Mitchell

Born in 1961 in Charleston, SC. and grew up in a small town called McClellanville, SC. I guess you can say that I started my art career at the age of 5, and my brushes were sticks and my canvases were sand. I won my 1st art award, the coveted “Scholastic Gold Key” while attending Winyah Senior High School in Georgetown, SC, from there I went to The Art Institute of Atlanta and received a degree in Visual Communication. After college I created ads for companies like Coldwell Banker and Crown Diamond Center. Later while walking through Lenox Mall I met with Master Portrait Artist Hoeun Chung and life changed for me, I had found my purpose and created D’art Portraits. My Fine art portraits are now displayed in institutions such as Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine as well as the Tennessee Hamilton County Courthouse and in the houses of numerous private owners throughout the East Coast.

Images:
1. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms 2. The Look of Injustice 3. Kaepernick: The Fight for Injustice Continues

Lisa Tuttle

Lisa Tuttle is an artist and arts administrator living in Atlanta. She has received numerous awards; two Southern Arts Federation/ NEA Regional Fellowships for Visual Artists in 1991 for sculpture and in 1995 for photography. In 2003, she received a travel fellowship to Belgium from the King Baudouin Foundation, US. In 2002, she completed an artist residency at Caversham Press in South Africa. She has also been a resident artist at the Hambidge Center three times (1992, 1993, and 2001). In 2007, she completed a community-based public art commission, “The Seedling Project” for the City of Atlanta’s Dunbar Neighborhood Center in Mechanicsville.

Mock Proposal is especially timely as, across the country, Civil War memorials are being re-thought, dismantled, and at times, creating friction and a new discourse about history and its representation in the public sphere. Memorials themselves are communally owned, thus communities should be able to participate in their creation, care, or removal. Civil War monuments and memorials, however, were not erected with communal support and thus the question of who is being spoken for is crucial. Which community do they serve — and are they at the spiritual or psychic expense of another? Confederate memorials cause deep suffering for African Americans and pain to all people for whom the Civil War, and slavery in particular, is and was vile and immoral.

Lisa Tuttle’s images that correct these memorials through the inclusion of a white flag of surrender is a positive step in tending to this communal wound. While we are not responsible for ancestral wrongs, there still exists a moral imperative to address them. They are our inheritance, so we must speak out. Tuttle says about the work ‘It really began as a hypothetical proposal but the more I work on it, the more I think that it is completely feasible. “Mock” can also imply ridicule, and that is not my intention. A bit tongue-in-cheeky perhaps but increasingly a serious, alternative albeit subversive proposal. Historical observance of the defeat and surrender of the CSA (April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Courthouse and the dissolution of the CSA government on May 4, 1865 in Washington, Ga./Wilkes County.) If “historical” significance prevents their removal, then perhaps we might observe a different, but accurate, historical significance!

Keith Conner

Keith Conner was born and raised in Flint, Michigan where my dad “CL” & mom “Eleanor” taught him he could be whatever he wanted to be. Keith chose art over engineering for General Motors. As a youngster, he attended the Flint Institute of Art. In 1971 Keith was accepted into the Genesee Area Skill Center’s “Gifted Artist” program. After graduating both high school & the Skill Center, he attended the American Academy of Art, Chicago and graduated in1976 with a degree in Design & Illustration.

Keith worked as a science illustrator for Denoyer-Gepprert Co. (Times Mirror) where he produced science charts & filmstrips for the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia. Also he free-lanced with World Book & Encyclopedia Britannica and worked on calendar projects for Miller Brewing Co. & Luster Products Inc. Keith created 28 Black History Illustrations that aired daily on WGN-TV as public service announcements during Black History Month “Black History Notes” for several years and later 28 more “Black History Moments” Illustrations for Central City-Chicago Tribune Productions that aired each day on WGN channel 9 for years during February narrated by TV stars Ted Lange, Blair Underwood, Lou Rawls, Roxie Roker, Holly Robinson Peete, Montell Williams, Sheri Belafonte, Nichelle Nichols & many others. Currently featured works for African American Expressions 2014 Calendar’s “Walking by Faith” & “Make Me Mold Me” also featured in “Sunday Morning” 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 calendars and greeting card publications.

His artwork has been exhibited in many Galleries and shows including Chicago’s Museum of Science & Industry, Dusable Museum of African American history, Black Ensemble Theater, Solo Show ETA Theater, Gallery D’Estee, Gallery Guichard, South Side Community Art Center, & Ohare Airport. Most recently Essence Festival New Orleans, Washington DC & The Tom Joyner Foundation Cruise. His work can be found in collections of notables across the country. “I love art and have been an artist my whole life. I believe art has given culture to the world. I take great pride in being included in the process of telling humanities story and progress in a positive way using color & imagination.” Keith David Conner

Eddie Filer

Images:
1. Voice of Reason 2. John Lewis

Tyler Clark

Tyler Clark is a full-time Christian 3D Hair Artist.  She attended Spelman College and Georgia Institute of Technology, studying Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering respectively. Throughout her schooling, Tyler was always passionate about expressing her creativity through art. Her artwork became therapeutic for her, so she decided to intentionally put her energy into it. She enjoys creating paintings that have mixed media elements such as fabric, jewelry and hair. These multi-dimensional elements set her artwork apart from others and as a result, many of her pieces have been virally shared around the world!

Tyler’s artwork has been auctioned off in the Wearable Art Gala hosted by ams. Tina Knowles for the past few years. Her art was also featured among the top artists in the country during Art Basel in Miami. Tyler has created a painting for Chance the Rapper and has also painted a portrait of Quavo as a gift from Saweetie. Additionally, her art can be found decorating Common’s new school in Chicago, Art in Motion.

In 2016 Tyler launched "Inspire by Tyler" as a brand that encompasses art, motivational speaking, and scholarships. Tyler took a leap of faith during the COVID-19 pandemic and quit her corporate technical job to pursue art full-time. Tyler’s goal is to use her art to inspire others through her journey by promoting self-love, faith and women's empowerment. Tyler is passionate about art and would love to connect with you on social media @InspireByTyler.

Ron Witherspoon

Ron Witherspoon is a native San Franciscan working as a photographer for over 35 years.  His career in photography began with a Kodak Instamatic film camera at the age of 12. He served 6 years in the U.S. Army working as a Photojournalist and News Editor who traveled North Africa, South America and the United States creating images and writing stories about American service-members. He has explored and mastered many facets of photography to include photojournalism, commercial, documentary, portrait, event, and fine art photography.

 As a freelance photographer he has traveled throughout the USA, the Caribbean, Canada and South Africa on photography assignments.  He happily works with a fantastic team of artists, designers, technicians and creatively crazy people. His belief in formal education led him to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Broadcast Communications from San Francisco State University, and a Masters in Fine Arts (M.F.A.) from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Ron lives between Atlanta and San Francisco, and travels throughout the United States creating imagery for corporate, entrepreneurial, government and educational clients.  I also produce fine art photography for private and public sale.

 Vando Davis

Vando Davis is a self-taught artist who works primarily with acrylic and oil sticks. Vando began his art career in 2017 after years in the hospitality field. The impetus for his painting was his youngest son,Dione Davis, who was having trouble relaxing during intense day trading sessions. Vando saw painting as a way to help his son, but little did he know how much it would impact his own life. Rooted in Neo-Expressionism and Abstract, Vando’s style of painting uses vibrant, uncharacteristic, sometimes clashing colors, along with phrasing and vowel-free words. Vando’s fun loving nature is seen in every colorful stroke. Since becoming a full-time artist, Vando exhibited at Spectrum Miami 2018, where he was selected to the Director’s List. In 2019, he was selected as a “Featured Artist” for Hot Works Estero Fine Art Show.

Vando lives in Atlanta, GA with his wife Sheri, two cats and pup Pepper.

Images
1. MRTHN 2. RNDM 3. Wise Men Know When To Pass The Sword to to the Youth 4. United 5. PRTSTR

Jennifer L. Hodges

​Native Detroiter. Chicago Lover.

Jennifer L. Hodges is an Abstract Acrylic & Mixed Media Visual Artist from Detroit, MI.  Hodges received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Western Michigan University, and is pursuing a Masters of Business Administration degree through the Baumhart Scholars program at Loyola University Chicago. Hodges began her professional career in Wealth Management and transitioned to the non-profit sector as a Development Director for a leading health & human services organization and Program Director for a leading public charter school system. 

Jennifer's creative career has been strategically integrated in her formal education and has spanned over 20+ years. Hodges began writing poetry at age 11 to manage personal trauma and began painting while pursuing her undergraduate degree. Hodges now exhibits across the midwest  and her work has been added to many private collections. She is consistently creating new work in her Chicago, Southside studio.

Images
1. Black Men Are Kings 2. Black Men Are Fragile

Romeo Robinson

Romeo Robinson started his journey in New York City at the Germaine School of Photography in the late 1970s. When he moved to Houston, he continued his studies at San Jacinto College, taking classes in legal assisting and art. He started taking classes at the MFAH Glassell School of Art ten years ago; in 2019, He completed the Block program. I have had the privilege to display his work at the San Jacinto College Gallery, the San Jacinto College Library, various VAA exhibitions, Carolyn Garcia Gallery, the Houston City Wide African American Artists Exhibition, the Houston Museum of African American Culture, the Gallery space at West Gray Dental, and at the NCV Wine facility. 

Images
1. A Mother’s Anguish, A Mother’s Grace, 48 x 36, Mixed Media on canvas
2. Native Son - James Baldwin, 48 x 36, Mixed Media on canvas
3. The Bridge, 48 x 36, Mixed Media on canvas
4. Wakanda Is In Me, 48 x 36, Mixed Media on canvas

Gerald "Gjeri“ White

Gerald White, known as "Gjeri“, is a self taught artist who spent over 11 years drawing portraits in the public on the streets of Chicago where he met people from all walks of life. He has been drawing and painting for over 50 years. Art is the first love of his life. He works in many mediums, from pencil to oils. There is nothing he desires more than expressing himself through art to evoke a thought and begin a conversation that pushes critical and rational thinking. Thats what art is for, creating, motivating, inspiring, promoting and evoking critical and rational thinking. It's fine if it's just pretty but even pretty should make you think.