Adams, Derrick | Untitled, 2023 — available on Composition Gallery

Plate signed.

On a circular ceramic plate, a faceted portrait of a Black man caught mid-song lifts his face beneath a confetti hat and bunting of colour. Adams composes the head in planes of warm chocolate, ochre and beige; the patterned shirt mixes Kente cloth and polka dot — Black tailoring as joy. Plate signed by the artist. Adams is among the most celebrated American voices working on Black leisure, identity and celebration today, and this multiple distils his exuberant pictorial vocabulary into a fully usable object to acquire and live with.

Derrick Adams (USA, 1970) is a multidisciplinary artist exploring Black identity, leisure, and cultural narratives. Known for works like the 'Floater' series, his art spans painting, sculpture, and performance, blending vibrant imagery with social critique. Adams has exhibited globally, and his work appears in major collections, including the Whitney Museum and The Studio Museum in Harlem.

Derrick Adams

Untitled, 2023

Name: Untitled, 2023
SKU: 17489
Price: 1890.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Form

Sculpture / Object

Sculpture / ObjectA sculpture is a three-dimension object made using any one of the basic sculpting processes. These include carving, casting, constructing or modeling. Carving materials may be bone, ivory, stone or wood. Modeling and casting use clay or wax, while constructions glue materials together.

Medium

Plate

PlateA plate is a broad, primarily flat vessel used for serving food, but it can also serve ceremonial or decorative purposes. Plates are typically circular, though they can be any shape and made from various water-resistant materials. Most plates have raised edges, either by curving upward or featuring a wider lip. Vessels without a raised edge or with a more rounded profile are often considered bowls or dishes, while very large, plate-shaped vessels might also be classified as dishes.

Edition

Edition of 250

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●Inventory 17489

●Plate signed.

●Comes with gallery invoice and certificate

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Plate signed.

Derrick Adams

Untitled, 2023

Sculpture / Object

Plate

GBP 1,890

Derrick Adams

Good Luck Charm, 2021

Sculpture / Object

Mixed Media

USD 6,000

No sold works to show.

As an artist, you just want to make art.
- Derrick Adams

Derrick Adams is a contemporary American artist whose work spans across painting, collage, sculpture, performance, video, and sound installations. Born in 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland, Adams received his BFA from Pratt Institute and an MFA from Columbia University. He also completed the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture Program.

Adams is known for his vibrant, figurative works that explore the intersection of Black identity, cultural history, and personal narrative. His art often addresses themes of representation, identity, and the African American experience in the United States. One of his notable series, "Floater," presents portraits of Black people leisurely floating in water, challenging stereotypical representations and highlighting moments of joy and relaxation.

Adams' work has been exhibited in numerous prestigious institutions, including the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Brooklyn Museum. His art is held in several public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.

In addition to his artistic practice, Adams is an educator and mentor, having taught at several institutions and participated in various community-based art projects. He is celebrated for his innovative approach to contemporary art and his commitment to representing and empowering Black communities through his work. (Artist Website)

Artwork by Miles Aldridge

What is contemporary art?

Contemporary art refers to avant-garde or innovative art created in the recent past or present day. The exact starting point of contemporary art varies depending on the institution, often tied to the founding year of museums or galleries that showcase the style. Contemporary art is characterized by its focus on current ideas, diverse media, and the exploration of new concepts and techniques.

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Derrick Adams