Artist Statement Summary:

Privilege is a weapon.  Since 1619, the birth year of American Slavery, privilege and power have been structured and used as a system to oppress, define, exclude, and profit from Black people in America.  

I aim to create illustrative mixed media paintings of people caught within, and absent from, real, site-specific places in distress. I also place individuals in and out of hard-edged black and white zones with occasional vignettes, all used as a metaphor for segregation, defiance, and loss. My work embodies a unique strength expounded by the oppressed. A power manifested in resilient peoples, determined to resist erasure and break free of master narratives.

Artist Statement Summary:

Privilege is a weapon. Since 1619, the birth year of American Slavery, privilege and power have been structured and used as a system to oppress, define, exclude, and profit from Black people in America.

I aim to create illustrative mixed media paintings of people caught within, and absent from, real, site-specific places in distress. I also place individuals in and out of hard-edged black and white zones with occasional vignettes, all used as a metaphor for segregation, defiance, and loss. My work embodies a unique strength expounded by the oppressed. A power manifested in resilient peoples, determined to resist erasure and break free of master narratives.

This past summer, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of eight high school youth and I created a social-distanced mural in West Baltimore called "A Promising Future," a name picked by the youth. Each of them produced 24" black and white paintings on wood panels to answer one essential question, "what does it take to help a community thrive?" Two local artists and I installed their wood panels on an outdoor surface, framing a centerpiece I designed and painted on site. The most important thing about the mural is that Black people made it for a predominately Black community. For years to come, as the youth who assisted with this mural reach well into adulthood, they can visit this artwork, stand in front of the painting and say, "I helped make this."

Mural Location: 1814 Division St, Baltimore, MD 21217

Artist Statement Summary:

Privilege is a weapon.  Since 1619, the birth year of American Slavery, privilege and power have been structured and used as a system to oppress, define, exclude, and profit from Black people in America.  

I aim to create illustrative mixed media paintings of people caught within, and absent from, real, site-specific places in distress. I also place individuals in and out of hard-edged black and white zones with occasional vignettes, all used as a metaphor for segregation, defiance, and loss. My work embodies a unique strength expounded by the oppressed. A power manifested in resilient peoples, determined to resist erasure and break free of master narratives

Artist Statement Summary:

Privilege is a weapon.  Since 1619, the birth year of American Slavery, privilege and power have been structured and used as a system to oppress, define, exclude, and profit from Black people in America.  

I aim to create illustrative mixed media paintings of people caught within, and absent from, real, site-specific places in distress. I also place individuals in and out of hard-edged black and white zones with occasional vignettes, all used as a metaphor for segregation, defiance, and loss. My work embodies a unique strength expounded by the oppressed. A power manifested in resilient peoples, determined to resist erasure and break free of master narratives.

Artist Statement Summary:

Privilege is a weapon.  Since 1619, the birth year of American Slavery, privilege and power have been structured and used as a system to oppress, define, exclude, and profit from Black people in America.  

I aim to create illustrative mixed media paintings of people caught within, and absent from, real, site-specific places in distress. I also place individuals in and out of hard-edged black and white zones with occasional vignettes, all used as a metaphor for segregation, defiance, and loss. My work embodies a unique strength expounded by the oppressed. A power manifested in resilient peoples, determined to resist erasure and break free of master narratives.

On January 29th, 2016, a fifteen-year-old African American male named Darius Montray Bardney was tragically murdered in at housing complex in West Baltimore called Pedestal Gardens.

The property’s management team, Community Builders, Inc., commissioned “Between Us” to celebrate the life of Darius, embolden the youth of Pedestal Gardens, and help resolve any contention that transpired after the incident.