ARTIST TALK/BOOK SIGNING: Hold on, Change is Coming

Exhibit Dates: January 17 – March 1, 2025

Meet the Artists Receptions: Jan 17th 4-8PM & Jan 18th 2-6PM

At 1429 Iris Street NW, Washington DC, 20012

Featuring: Doba Afolabi, Ram Brisueno, Julee Dickerson-Thompson, Buzz Duncan, Cheryl Edwards, Carolyn Goodridge, Francine Haskins, Paul Henry, Bernie Houston, Hubert Jackson, Sabiyha Prince, Qrcky, Patrick Smith, Curtis Woody, Luther Wright

Artist talks at 2PM

Jan 25: Doba Afolabi, Ram Brisueno, Bernie Houston, Qrcky

Feb 1: Buzz Duncan, Patrick Smith, Curtis Woody

Feb 8: Julee Dickerson-Thompson, Francine Haskins, Luther Wright

Feb 15: Sabiyha Prince, Paul Henry

Feb 22: Cheryl Edwards, Carolyn Goodridge, Hubert Jackson

Book Signings at 2PM

Jan 25: “Wellness on The Weekly: 52 Fun Prompts for Mindfulness, Movement, and a Whole Lot Less Stress!” by Andrianne Lind, CYT, MSc, MA, BA

Feb 15: "In God We Trust" by Kellee Baker and Clifford William Jr.

Please join us in celebrating Black History Month with Zenith Gallery artists who use their art to honor their blackness in a variety of mediums and styles. Each artist in this exhibition produces work that is profoundly unique, meaningful, and well executed. They are established artists who have been dedicated to their practice for decades. Their work can be found in prestigious collections, Museums, nationally and internationally. It is our pleasure to present these artists to you during Black History Month.

Island Dance by Bernie Houston

Doba Afolabi was born in the mountains of southwest Nigeria and credits his mother, who was a versatile dancer, as the fundamental force behind his flair for expression. Monet, Van Gogh, Degas and Yoruba stylized carvings were later influences on Afolabi. Doba studied at the famous Zaria Art School. While still in school, he became known as one of the “Zaria Rebels,” an artist’ school known for their experimental style and bold color palette. Briefly, he worked for the United Nations as a graphic designer. He also spent some time teaching art at Yaba Technical College, in Lagos, Nigeria, before eventually immigrating to New York City.

Ram Brisueno’s work uses a variety of mediums, materials, and objects to create narratives that relate to personal identity and social perceptions with an emphasis on highlighting textures, color, and form. His work brings together, with attention, to both surface and concealed images and meanings revealed through intuitive responses allowing a compositional unity that creates themes of mythmaking and personal identity. An artist he admires, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, put it simply “Above all else, it is about leaving a mark that I existed: I was here. I was hungry. I was defeated. I was happy. I was sad. I was in love. I was afraid. I was hopeful. I had an idea, and I had a good purpose and that’s why I made works of art.”

Julee Dickerson-Thompson is a multi-media artist. Her work ranges from painting & soft sculpture/fiber into public art and illustration. Julee is noted for a unique, stylized approach to line drawing that becomes characteristic of her work in all forms of media. “A spiritual momentum is ever present as I explore the Creator’s metaphors by allowing myself to become a vessel for my work. It is a moment of sweet surrender when I can truly open my pores and allow my soul to be guided spontaneously by painting my libations.” Her goal is “to nourish and delight…the eye…the soul…the Spirit!”

Bulsby “Buzz” Duncan born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Washington, DC. Buzz is a self-taught artist whose work can be described as deeply emotional and filled with energy. Buzz traces his artistic influence on the great abstract expressionists, and contemporary artists of the 20th Century. Duncan was our first-place winner from our RESIST exhibit in 2017! Duncan’s work is inherently filled with emotional energy, from his abstract pieces to his graffiti style paintings. He addresses social issues such as police brutality with symbols referring to Eric Garner and Trayvon Martin, mass incarceration, and gun violence with paying homage to one of the greatest graffiti painters, Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Cheryl Edwards began her studies in 1987-1989 at the Art Student League (New York City) and was taught by Ernest Crichlow. She has been living in Washington, D.C. for the past 28 years, and has exhibited in Washington, D.C., New York, Virginia, Maryland, Miami, Texas, Pennsylvania, Rotterdam, Germany, Monaco, and Hong Kong. Edwards' practice is painting, printmaking, pulp paintings, installations and mixed media with her main mediums being oil, ink, handmade paper, mixed media and acrylics. 'The Cleanse' is part of a new series entitled 1821: Aquatic Pathways. The series is about the saltwater railroad. Going deep into her roots. She is a descendant of African Slaves and Black Seminoles. One of the few black families who were not from the Bahamas, living in Miami. Decolonization of self is a form of resistance. “Those who made it to the Bahamas assimilated into a community populated by the Bahamian descendants of African slaves and “Black Seminoles,” runaway slaves from the deep South who first took refuge with the Seminole Indians in Florida, and then made their way to the Bahamas as the tribe was forced to Indian Territory on the Trail of Tears.” https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/the-saltwater-railroad-1821-1861/

Carolyn Goodridge was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies and immigrated to the U.S. in 1963. Goodridge was brought up in a Pentecostal environment and later became widely read in Eastern philosophies. She landed in the Kwan Um School of Zen, residing at their Chogye International Zen Center in New York by age 19. The late Zen Master Seung Sahn Sunim taught the artist about “Zen mind.” Her artwork is broadly inspired by these teachings. Goodridge states: “The materials used in my work are organic: melted beeswax with natural pigments, resin made of sap from Malaysian fir trees, rice paper, wood and sometimes glass. Using encaustic, I enjoy contrasting, not only organic and geometrical shapes, but also smooth and rough texture, as well as dull and shiny reflective surfaces.

Francine Haskins is a mix-media fiber artist, doll maker, quilter, author/illustrator, teacher and storyteller. A Corcoran School of Art graduate who also trained at Catholic University in oil painting and the Smithsonian Associate Program in fabric design, Haskins began her art career at “The New Thing” Art and Architecture center as a graphic artist. She has participated in artists’ trade shows including Black Memorabilia and Doll Shows, to the great Black Arts Festival in Atlanta Georgia, and the Smithsonian’s Folklife festival. Francine has exhibited widely in museums and galleries across the United States and has been a part of numerous panels on folk art and folklore. One the founding members of the legendary 1800 Belmont Arts (Arts collective), Haskins is renowned for her quilts, her soft sculpture dolls.

Paul Henry is a highly talented self-taught artist, with 30+ years of experience in wood carving. Skilled in sculpting and capturing intricate details and creating aesthetic pleasing works of art. Henry is a dedicated self-taught wood carver with a passion for life itself, and a love for nature. He is highly creative with a passion for family togetherness. These qualities are apparent in his work. He is detailed with his craft and committed to pushing boundaries of artistic expression.

Bernie Houston graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design in 1984 and has been a driftwood sculptor ever since. Houston spends most of his time in the Atlantic region. Currently collecting in the Chesapeake and the Potomac Shorelines, finding that perfect piece of driftwood for his carefully composed sculptures. Each piece is shaped by nature and inspired by its natural structure. After visualizing each driftwood piece, he cures, sands, carves, paints and polishes each creation. He sculpts everything from animals to people to objects. Because nature does not mimic itself, his entire body of work is one-of-a-kind. There is not a single piece like it on the planet

Hubert Jackson was born in Culpeper, Virginia. After graduating from Virginia State University, he moved to Washington D.C in 1971 and earned his MA in painting from Howard University. In the early 1970s, he participated in the historical national movement of community-based mural projects under the advisement and mentorship of master artist Hughie Lee-Smith. Jackson’s work is in several private collections throughout the U.S. and has been shown in foreign countries such as Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, New Guinea and Rwanda through the Artist-in-Embassies Program, run by the U.S. Department of State and National Air 7 Space Museum.

Sabiyha Prince is a painter, collagist, photographer and cultural anthropologist who works with acrylics on paper, canvas, and wood. Prince’s work represents her sensibilities about inequality, belonging, spirituality, wonder, and joy. Her intersecting identities of artist and social scientist specifically orient her toward the beauty and vulnerability of humanity and the places they inhabit; often depicted in a painterly style exploding with color and movement. Prince relies heavily on abstract expression to reflect thoughts and feelings on the subtopics of happiness, liminality, memory, identity, and community. Her figurative images often center on Black women and children. Prince's paintings have been exhibited at 11Eleven Gallery, The Anacostia Arts Center, The Art League, The Hill Center, Zenith Gallery, and through The Petworth Artist’s Collaborative. A DC-native, her books include Constructing Belonging, African Americans and Gentrification in Washington, DC and Capital Dilemma; co-edited with Derek Hyra. In 2022 she co-directed the documentary Barry Farm: Community, Land, and Justice in Washington, DC with Samuel George. Prince’s media appearances include Al Jaeera English, MSNBC, NPR, Sirius XM, WOL, WPFW, and WYPR.

Qrcky Art is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It documents history -- it helps educate people and store knowledge for generations to come. Generations of people that don't see themselves in art lose their account. My art allows me to develop an identity and say: "This is my story. This is what I know." Art unity communities allow us to dialogue about history and its legacy. These are some of the most important works I have done. They speak to who I am, my heritage, and my culture. My work explores the relationship between Black diaspora sensibilities and urban spaces. With influences as diverse as Kara Walker and Jean-Michel Basquiat, new synergies are crafted from constructed and discovered layers. Currently living in Baltimore, I am interested in the sensation of moving, the deconstruction and reassembly of surfaces, and forgetting and remembering what has come before.

Patrick Smith I was blessed with the opportunity to attend the Duke Ellington School of Arts in Washington, DC. It was there that my passion for visual arts was cultivated and explored. While studying at Duke Ellington, my love for visual arts blossomed more fondly into portrait art. I would get lost in the expression and tones of the human face and wanted to archive it on paper. In present day, some of my favorite subjects, like Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, respectfully) and Marvin Gaye, are those who have struggled and overcome, and inspired social change. Even as I grow older, I find myself drawn to images of global significance, often feeling connected to imagery of children and families in Africa, the Caribbean and the Middle East, as seen in some of my more recent works. It is the intricacies and nuances of human expression, struggle, and emotion that moves me in my art.
Curtis Woody refers to his artworks as “mixed media quilt paintings.’ Woody’s mixed media quilt paintings start with hand cut museum board blocks that are painted, embellished, scratched, and merged to form extremely well-composed, thought-provoking collages that are not terribly pre-planned, but rather, let the feelings and emotions of the overall design dictate how each block fits together. Woody allows the colors, patterns, and textures to direct these compositions. Many of his pieces include replicas of vintage newspaper advertisements, newspaper articles, or photographs – all included because they accentuate the composition, while adding a symbolic richness to the work. The result is a work that strikes the balance between spontaneity and a carefully planned composition of historical relevance.

Luther Wright's creative practice is a testament to his adventurous spirit and his unwavering commitment to artistic exploration. As a muralist, Luther has transformed public spaces with his vibrant and captivating artworks. His murals can be found in numerous states and throughout the DMV area, leaving a lasting impact on the communities they adorn. He believes in the power of art to bring people together, spark conversations, and inspire positive change. Through his community involvement, Luther strives to create opportunities for artistic expression and engagement, fostering a sense of belonging and cultural enrichment. One of the defining aspects of Luther's practice is his refusal to limit himself to one particular style or medium. He embraces the freedom to experiment and push artistic boundaries, constantly seeking new ways to express his ideas and visions. This approach not only keeps his work fresh and dynamic but also allows him to adapt and evolve as an artist. Through his multidisciplinary approach, community engagement, and willingness to embrace artistic diversity, Luther continues to leave a remarkable mark in the world of visual arts.

Host or Publisher Zenith Gallery