Black History Month: Derrick Adams
What are you up to during Black History Month? I’m blogging about visual and literary artists who inspire me. Let’s talk about:
I’d seen the work of Derrick Adams in art publications before, but not in person until “Packaged Black: “Derrick Adams and Barbara Earl Thomas” at the Henry Art Gallery. I came for Thomas’ work (see previous blog post), then stayed to soak up more of Adams’ paintings.
Derrick Adams, “Style Variation 27.” Photo credit: Lisa Myers Bulmash
A few things I admire about his work in this particular exhibition:
his use of acrylic paint on photographs, which feels like a type of collage
the pop culture references, especially the series recalling Black hair style guide posters
This collaboration had been on hold since 2017, and then the pandemic struck — but Adams and Thomas still managed to pull together the exhibition. Talk about persistence in the face of obstacles…
The weekend is almost here, so let’s end the week with some laughs from my one of my favorite writer/pop culture observers. See you then.
Black History Month: Barbara Earl Thomas
Thanks again for joining me during Black History Month, when I’m posting a series about Black visual and literary artists who inspire me. Let’s talk about:
Remember the previous blog post, when I made a crack about how rare it is to see a famous contemporary artist visit Seattle? That was only partly true. Barbara Earl Thomas lives here, making larger-than-life Tyvek and paper cut installations. Her work has also been translated into glass and metal. A few things I admire about her:
the stained-glass look of some of her paper work (and real stained-glass at Yale University)
her prodigious ability to convey complex narrative scenes with silhouettes
her persistence in continuing to make work before the world outside Seattle finally acknowledged her genius.
Considering the labor-intensive nature of her work (she has two assistants), she spends a lot of time working in the studio. So it doesn’t happen that often, but occasionally I get to see Thomas out and about at art events and say hi.
Speaking of being busy, Thomas continued to make new pieces during the quarantine days of the pandemic. Tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to the artist who collaborated with her on one of those projects.
Black History Month: vanessa german
Thanks for joining me for another look at Black artists who inspire me. Let’s talk about:
vanessa german creates a poem with installation artist Romson Bustillo. Photo credit: Lisa Myers Bulmash
Famous contemporary artists rarely bother to visit Seattle in person, but vanessa german is the exception I admire. She’s a multi-disciplinary artist (sculpture, performance, communal rituals, immersive installation, and photography) based in Pittsburgh.
Sculpture created for “vanessa german: W E” at Wa Na Wari gallery. Photo credit: Lisa Myers Bulmash
During the summer of 2021, vanessa created a brand-new work at Wa Na Wari, and then created poetry on the fly with those who came to hear her speak. These are the top things I love about her:
her combination of power and vulnerability, both in poetry and in sculpture
her assemblage sculptures are monumental, tender and childlike all at once
her “more is more” aesthetic in her color choices and the architecture of her pieces
According to Kasmin Gallery, which represents some of her work, this summer german will “unveil a new commission for the exhibition Pulling Together at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., which will explore the role of monuments in the telling of American history.” Looking forward to seeing what german creates for the other Washington.
We’ve talked about five artists so far, and there are 15 more to come. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read the previous blog posts I’m writing for Black History Month.