Thursday, July 11, 2019

5pts Art Gallery & Studios – This is America
5 Points Art Gallery & Studios’ 4th art show, is a consciously curated group exhibition coinciding with the United States’ Independence Day with visual artworks by 17 artists from traditionally overlooked vantage points, responding to the patriotism and nationalism the holiday was constructed to imbue.

This Is America is meant to both corroborate and challenge the notion of Americanism, citizenship and belonging, racial representation, historical and cultural influence, religious freedom, national and global amnesty, and pride in iconography associated with the red, white and blue, stars and stripes. With a breadth of work reflecting upon current and historical concepts and lived experiences, viewers are posed to find commonality or grapple with divergent perspectives tied to their nationalistic, political, and racial identities.

This Is America exhibiting artists are Wisconsin-based, national, and international and works are equally diverse, including but not limited to paintings, drawings, collages, textiles/fiber art, mixed media compositions, photography, audio visual, sculptures, and conceptual installations.

Featured Artists are: Alain Cabrera (Havana, Cuba), Charly Palmer (Atlanta, GA), David Najib Kasir (Milwaukee, WI), Della Wells (Milwaukee, WI), Erik Salgado (Chicago, IL), Evelyn Patricia Terry (Milwaukee, WI), Fatima Laster (Milwaukee, WI), George Williams Jr. (Beloit, WI), Kierston Ghaznavi (Milwaukee, WI), Marvin Tate (Chicago, IL), Mutope J. Johnson (Milwaukee, WI), Portia Cobb (Milwaukee, WI), Rhonda Gatlin-Hayes (Milwaukee, WI), Ruthie Joy (Milwaukee, WI), Sonji Hunt (Milwaukee, WI), Spencer Hutchinson (Chicago, IL), and Xavier Lightfoot (Milwaukee, WI).


1 of 3 Featured paintings: A Soldier's Tale • Acrylic on canvas • 30"H x 24"W



Juneteenth Commemorative Poster • 16Wx20H
Juneteenth Day, Commemorative Poster • 16Wx20H

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Some of My Art

The Rock Island Series

A fictional art series that was created to reflect the lives of early jazz musicians who spent much their professional lives on the road. Traveling to and from gigs mainly by bus or train. Reflecting the good times and the bad times, the obstacles they faced, the love they gained and sometimes lost. But more importantly meeting people from different walks of life, in big cities and small towns who just loved it when they played America’s music ... “Jazz.”

Jazz Road Trip Series

Jazz Road Trip Series
Road Trip 1 • Watercolor

Jazz Road Trip Series

Jazz Road Trip Series
Road Trip 2 • Watercolor

Jazz Road Trip Series

Jazz Road Trip Series
Uptown Train • Watercolor

Jazz Road Trip Series

Jazz Road Trip Series
Rock Island Series Triptych • Mixed Media
America’s Only True Art Form

A visual buffet of work that draws upon the power of artists and our cultural modernity. But specifically America’s own music, Blues, Jazz and Hip Hop. African Americans have always been at the forefront of creating America's only true art forms, the most popular music genres of modern times. Putting the "J" in Jazz and “Hip” in Hip Hop music. The very fact that Africa from which most of our ancestors came, has influenced the way music is made and can be heard in African American music of the past and present. Johnson states that "this reason alone supports why I paint." The rhythmic spoken word and the hypnotic beats, created by some of the most talented African American producers, song writers, poets, musicians and performers today, has had a lasting influence on creative people world wide.

Blues Series

Blues Series
Living with the Blues • Watercolor

Blues Series

Blues Series
Ma Rainey • Watercolor

Blues Series

Blues Series
The Gospel of John • Watercolor

Blues Series

Blues Series
The Stoop • Watercolor

Blues Series

Blues Series
Blue Holiday • Watercolor

Jazz Series

Jazz Series
Coltrane @ 4am • Watercolor

Jazz Series

Jazz Series
Dude Indigo • Watercolor

Jazz Series

Jazz Series
Mood Indigo • Watercolor

Jazz Series

Jazz Series
HipknowsUs • Watercolor

Jazz Series

Jazz Series
Downgrade Ahead • Watercolor

Jazz Series

Jazz Series
Monk plays the jook joint • Watercolor

Hip Hop Series

Hip Hop Series
Only God Can Judge Me • Watercolor

Hip Hop Series

Hip Hop Series
Rap In Peace • Watercolor

Visual Artists Series

Visual Artists Series
Tribute to Jean Michel Basquiat • Watercolor

Visual Artists Series

Visual Artists Series
Tribute to Jacob Lawrence • Watercolor

Visual Artists Series

Visual Artists Series
Tribute to Romare Bearden • Watercolor

Literary Artists Series

Literary Artists Series
James Baldwin, Fire Next Time • Watercolor

Literary Artists Series

Literary Artists Series
August Wilson / Fences • Watercolor

Literary Artists Series

Literary Artists Series
Amiri Baraka, Indigopeopleology • Watercolor