2020-06-06]]> 2020-06-07]]>
Anonymous Submission]]>
2020-06-08]]> 2020-05-31]]>
From the artist: "Over a month ago I began plans to make paintings in my studio referencing the murder of Ahmaud Arbery who was shot by two white men, his own neighbors, while he was going on a regular jog. They hunted him down because they thought he fit the description of a house robber. The description meaning being black, which is warrant enough for your murder in this country. .
3 weeks ago when I watched the video of George Floyd's murder in broad daylight, with overwhelming urges from onlookers to stop, by officers sworn to protect him, I wanted to channel my grief into something more than a quickly imposing downward spiral. I felt if I was going to make art, it had to be more than a pretty picture to be consumed. .
I believe commercial galleries can nurture the creation of unimaginative and unchallenging art because structurally most are not built to reward innovation but what is most readily profitable. I don't want to make work which will only be seen by the gallery going type, owned only by the wealthy, or made to confront only those who already agree with me. I decided to take my portraits of Ahmaud off the metaphorical easel bound for the gallery and into the street. .
It took me less than 10 hours over the course of three days to paint. It's titled "west, when the sunrise and the sunset look the same", made with spray paint, oil paint, and acrylic on plywood over Sandy's Bar at 14th and O St in Lincoln, NE. This is the first of two pieces, this one an image of death, the next an image of the sunrise, of the son rise. Together they represent the similarity between worship and death both being acts of arm high surrender: images of a universe I question there is a context where black people are safe whether it's a domestic street or a church pew. .
This work is about black excellence, about a literal suit which functions as armour which will be in the next painting. About the excellence demanded of black men and black people to dress better than the next mediocre white American, to work harder than them, to speak better, all because without this we are seen as subhuman; an excellence which even in our pursuit of, even in Ahmaud's jog, could not fully protect him."
https://www.klkntv.com/local-artist-line-business-with-powerful-message/?fbclid=IwAR10OsgcDNLaqN7y9OUahQd9eqL0EJzwWNQly-5nmtxZxQ7NUb4z3Qea4J8]]>
2020-06-17]]>
2020-06-05]]> 2020-06-10]]> 2020-07-21]]>
Amiri Baraka was a playwright, novelist and poet that actively worked to bring the Black experience in America to life. Baraka's writings explored the anger of the Black community within the United States at the beginning of the Black Civil Rights Movement, using his writings as a weapon against racism. A widely polarizing figure, through his near fifty year career Baraka continued to be regarded as one of the most respected and widely published Black authors.

A small strip pulled off of the painting removes the paint to reveal the plywood underneath, on which small text reads: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. - MLK". ]]>
2020-06-18]]> Image: @Bringing_Back_Bowery on Instagram]]>

In the center of the work, a quotation emerges from the unpainted plywood. The quote reads: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. - MLK #bemighty." Underneath the quote, to the left of the trees, a list of names emerges from a field of flowers. Outlined in green paint, a quick glance could lead the names to be mistaken as part of the greenery that blooms in the red.

The names are not all clear, but include: Nehemiah Dillard, 2012; Melvin Lawhorn, 2012; Marquez Smart, 2012; Michael Lembard, 2012; Tendai Mhekaira, 2012; Stephan Watts, 2012; Rekia Boyd, 2012; Johnnie Kamahi Warren, 2012; Malik Williams, 2011.

The names listed are all of Black individuals murdered by police officers in the years listed beside their names. This list is not a conclusive list of all Black people murdered in 2011-2012 by police.]]>
2020-06-22]]> Image: @Bringing_Back_Bowery on Instagram]]>