About the Exhibition:
Alvin Armstrong’s (b. 1982, San Diego, CA) dynamic paintings imply action through their kinetic mark making and expert use of color. Concerned primarily with complications of race in modern America, the artist explores the social and political landscapes of Black culture in a decidedly figurative context. Armstrong carefully frames subjects in motion to subvert traditional narratives and power structures that have erased, misrepresented, and undervalued Black identities throughout American history.
Laissez-Faire memorializes the lives of men, women, and children murdered as a consequence of police brutality. Upholding the legacies of individuals like Michael Brown, Elijah McClain, and Aiyana Jones, Armstrong honors each subject’s likeness in a style that references the illustrious history of the Japanese Samurai.
Armstrong’s portraits are careful meditations that relate the conceptual return of these individuals to the Samurai’s philosophical beliefs surrounding reincarnation, respect, and compassion. He places these traditions in conversation with tragic instances of racially motivated violence, grappling with the vulnerability of minority communities in the face of social and political inequities. The series is a call to action that challenges viewers to honor their own commitment to a freer and more equitable world.
The exhibition is on view at Anthony Gallery at 1360 W. Lake Street in West Loop from December 1st, 2023, to January 6th, 2024.
Nikkolos Mohammed is a fine artist based out of Los Angeles, California. He received his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree with an emphasis in painting from Otis College of Art and Design in 2013.
In 2014, he and fellow artist Mike Reesé founded DREAMHAUS, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and multifaceted art collective. DREAMHAUS is dedicated to implementing arts as an educational tool and a vehicle toward universal innovation in South Los Angeles.
Nikkolos’ artist practice reclaims hybrid identities through creating hybrid forms. He has exhibited two solo shows in Los Angeles and exhibited in other markets, such as New York and Berlin. Nikkolos also serves as a writer and editor for publications such as Germany-based LeMile Magazine, as well as Hypebeast, an online publication.
As a visual maker, he has collaborated with brands such as Coors Light in a global campaign, the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) for a social justice cause, and has featured works in television and film sets.
