15.74 x 11.81 inches
Acrylic and Collage on Paper
My Hands Sing the Blues, brings together a series of works by Bronx-born, London-based artist Adolphus Washington for his first presentation at Medium Tings. The title, a nod to the Billie Holiday song, with music and specifically jazz, being used as a metaphor to interrogate the complexities of the Black American experience and its “oscillation between freedom and restriction.”
Washington works primarily with collage, his work deeply rooted in Black culture, history and literature. Each unique artwork is composed of image based source material that is instinctively spliced and assembled with acrylic paint that adds layers to the story unfolding before us. Drawing on the personal and cumulative histories of Black Americans, to deliver what he calls a “Black American aesthetic” and shine light on inequality and injustice. Washington’s work is simultaneously reminder and provocation.
“This work embodies the richness of Black American culture by depicting historical events, as well as a creative re-imaging - as evidenced by colors, shapes, symbolism. A believer in specificity, my work champions nuance by confronting viewers with the thorny and complex issues related to descendants of the enslaved. Black American myth and spirituality and lesser known or spoken narratives, are brought to the fore, linking and contextualizing these in an attempt to enrich understanding and inspire greater appreciation of the fullness of the Black American experience and expression.”
- Adolphus Washington
About the artist:
Adolphus Washington is a Black American and native New Yorker who currently resides in London. Washington received an MSc in African Politics from School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and he currently works in public affairs in London. His work has been exhibited at Arkade Gallery in Aberdeen, Scotland, Telfair Museum in Savannah, Georgia and The Holy Art Gallery in London, England. He is an Analog Series winner for Contemporary Magazine, October 2022 and has been featured in the publication Black Collagist, November 2021.
16.54 x 23.39 inches
Acrylic and Collage on Paper
16 x 20 inches
Acrylic and Collage on Paper
10 x 14 inches
Acrylic and Collage on Paper
12 x 15 1/2 inches
Collage on Paper
16.54 x 23.39 inches
Acrylic and Collage on Paper
16 x 20 inches
Acrylic, Metal, and Collage on Paper
12 x 16 inches
Acrylic and Collage on Paper
16.54 x 23.39 inches
Acrylic, Metal, and Collage on Paper
(Aka archangel against the KKK)
14 x 18 inches
Acrylic, Metal, and Collage on Canvas Board
(Price Available Upon Request)
My Hands Sing the Blues, brings together a series of works by Bronx-born, London-based artist Adolphus Washington for his first presentation at Medium Tings. The title, a nod to the Billie Holiday song, with music and specifically jazz, being used as a metaphor to interrogate the complexities of the Black American experience and its “oscillation between freedom and restriction.”
Washington works primarily with collage, his work deeply rooted in Black culture, history and literature. Each unique artwork is composed of image based source material that is instinctively spliced and assembled with acrylic paint that adds layers to the story unfolding before us. Drawing on the personal and cumulative histories of Black Americans, to deliver what he calls a “Black American aesthetic” and shine light on inequality and injustice. Washington’s work is simultaneously reminder and provocation.
“This work embodies the richness of Black American culture by depicting historical events, as well as a creative re-imaging - as evidenced by colors, shapes, symbolism. A believer in specificity, my work champions nuance by confronting viewers with the thorny and complex issues related to descendants of the enslaved. Black American myth and spirituality and lesser known or spoken narratives, are brought to the fore, linking and contextualizing these in an attempt to enrich understanding and inspire greater appreciation of the fullness of the Black American experience and expression.”
- Adolphus Washington
About the artist:
Adolphus Washington is a Black American and native New Yorker who currently resides in London. Washington received an MSc in African Politics from School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and he currently works in public affairs in London. His work has been exhibited at Arkade Gallery in Aberdeen, Scotland, Telfair Museum in Savannah, Georgia and The Holy Art Gallery in London, England. He is an Analog Series winner for Contemporary Magazine, October 2022 and has been featured in the publication Black Collagist, November 2021.