Derrick Adams treats his art as a form of resistance, a joyful resistance that is, as he explores African American representation, and its intersection with art history, American iconography, and consumerism. Much like his busy compositions, Adams’ toolbox isn’t restricted to one medium, but rather mixes together painting, collage, sculptures, performances art, and video and sound installations.
His creative approach, which draws from the deconstructive movements, is centered around the fragmentation and manipulation of structure and surface, and the marriage of complex and improbable forms. But don’t let that deter you. The end result is a happy, colorful celebration.
Born in Baltimore, and now based in Brooklyn, Adams often seeks inspiration from his immediate surroundings. “Usually, I’m attracted to things that are in my daily space or in my neighborhood,” he shared with artnet. “Things I see when I’m walking around. I pay attention to everything, from store windows to people in cafes talking, to people on the corner communicating. I like to think about the surroundings as source materials.”
He also finds inspiration in the people that populate his neighborhood. “When I’m around people, I’m constantly looking at the aesthetics of how they wear their hair, how they communicate with each other,” says Adams. “I believe that, as black people, there are things we do, things that are common practice, that are also very complex and interesting forms of culture and cultural production.”
Scroll down to see some of his recent work.
