The visual cipher

Got You feeling Like Braille: It Ain't Hard To Tell by Darian Robbins

 

Featured Artists:

Derrick (Benetez) Bryant creates a tribute to the hip-hop group, Little Brother, in his painting, The Origins of Hip Hop, which is comprised of MCs Phonte and the Rapper Big Pooh. The artwork also features original member, the DJ and producer, 9th Wonder. Like jazz musicians, he creates lively, lyrical and improvisational canvases full of color and movement.

Nigerian Gangsta, the work of Ayo Okunseinde and Adrian Loving of Dissident Display engages audiences through the use of a visual call and response, in their “Afro-hop” mesh of Jay-Z and Fela Kuti.

Damani K. Diop (Reality) weaves a colorful and textural mixed media tribute to X-Clan and KRS-ONE in Verbs of Power Reality’s use of color and texture is in harmony with the elements of hip-hop that the Zulu Nation speaks of, especially the element of knowledge.

Jabari Hall-Smith’s (Caledon of BLACK LA) of Los Angeles, CA innovative use of animation and hip-hop is based on his own music, in his animated video, Checkman (God Body) a.k.a. Wave The Penalty, Hall-Smith draws upon influences ranging from comic book super-heroes, ancient African and Chinese spirituality, philosophy and wisdom, and figures such as Sun Ra and George Clinton.

Jeff Henriquez fuses portrait painting, graffiti and live painting, in his piece, Hyper as a Heart Attack, Nobody Smiling. Henriquez work brings the intense color to the canvas, as he honors Rakim, one of the most influential MCs in hip-hop history.

Ann (Sole Sister) Johnson, uses a unique style of mixed media art to entice the viewer, in her series Sacred Artifacts. Inspired by songs that praise and champion the classic origins and foundation of hip-hop, such as:  I Used to Love Her, by Common, and Rising Up by the Roots, Sole Sister has created a series of paper casts depicting hip-hop in Sacred Artifacts. This technique creates an archaic approach that fabricates a visual excavation of historical hip-hop objects representing the word, the style and the art.

Hasaan Kirkland’s work is comprised of colorful manifestations of  hip-hop, and the poetry of Gil Scott-Heron. Kirkland also draws heavily upon the surrealism and even references the work of Francisco Goya. In his piece, The Alchemist, Kirkland explores the spirit, intellect and rhythm of hip-hop lyricism and symbolism.

Jati Lindsay provides a black and white series of photographic images, that document live hip-hop events, local and national hip-hop artists that include: Little Brother, Jean Grae and also DC musician Musinah. The M3 1-5 series, demonstrates the experience of being there, and the viewer can almost feel the heat, sweat of each hip-hop performance and the intensity of each portrait.

Jeff McCauley blends the spirit of the blues, bebop, and jazz, in his painting, Check the Rhyme: Low End Theory responds to the infamous hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest.  His paintings full of vibrant color will certainly make us all “Check The Rhyme.”

Tewodross Melchishua’s featured work is titled Planet X Marks the Spot (Nommo Music for the Suckas, Part II), which is inspired by Guru (of the group Gangstarr, including DJ Premier). He illustrates the
sci-fi and metaphysical side of hip-hop, as he merges digital art, painting and motion. His work takes the viewer “above the clouds,” and on a journey that challenges what the viewer “knows” about the universe, earth, creation and even spirituality.

Ribqah’s soulful painting focuses on the Godfather of hip-hop, Afrika Bambaataa. Ribqah delves deeply into the spiritual side of hip-hop and creation, and references to ancient African/Egyptian cultures. Her work, The Amen Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture: Afrika Bambaataa, incorporates the use acrylic and pencil as she pays homage to the beginning of hip-hop and even civilization.

Darian Robbinsworks various media, including digital art, design and painting. His ode to the MC NAS, in his piece, Got You Feeling Like Braille: It Ain't Hard To Tell, creates a literal, interactive and symbolic interpretation of the MC’s lyrics. A unique work as it incorporates the qualities of touch and sound.

Kamaria Selam (Crystal Graham) draws upon her background in design, and creates a mixed media work based on Mos Def in her work, Black on Both Sides. She provides an exploration of lineage and cultural memory as it intersects with hip-hop.

At the core of hip-hop is the story, and Marcel Taylor’s interprets one of perhaps one of the best storytellers in hip-hop, Slick Rick.  His painting, Slick Rick: The Ruler, weaves the historic MC’s control of words, and image, humor, and of course, his own unique style and swagger.

Upfromsumdirt (Ron Davis) uses digital imagery, mixed media, and more, and through his process of layering and juxtaposition of images, creates what he terms “abstrack africana.”  His work pays homage to Public Enemy in Louder Than A Bomb, and brings to mind the work of artists such as the great Romare Bearden.

Fashion designer Carmen Webber, Sistahs of Harlem (SOH), integrates hip-hop, illustration, design, fashion, and her raw style of “deconstruction” in her jacket and tribute to “the smooth operator” Big Daddy Kane. As the only fashion designer in this exhibition, Webber’s work of texture, form and function explores the persona of one of the greatest MCs’ to ever touch the mic.