JEREMY OKAI DAVIS
TOGETHER BROTHERS
FEBRUARY 1-22, 2019
OPENING RECEPTION
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2019
7-10pm
ON VIEW
FEBRUARY 1 - 22, 2019
For more info about available works by Jeremy Okai Davis, please contact info@stephaniechefas.com
Payment plans are available upon request.
PRESS
Exhibition feature on Supersonic Art
This February, Stephanie Chefas Projects is delighted to present Portland artist Jeremy Okai Davis in the Gallery Annex with Together, Brothers. In his latest collection of work, Davis expands upon his unique brand of portraiture by way of three-dimensional elements and the obfuscation of identity. Drawing from a well of meditations, Davis incorporates a range of personal themes and images. Everything from his love of 1960s jazz music to his thoughts on stereotypes to his own yearbook images makes its way onto the canvas. In turn, Davis not only filters these subjects through his distinct visual palette, but furthermore places himself within the broader cultural landscape.
As with previous work, Together, Brothers finds Davis combining spontaneous rhythm and signature style to profound effect. The juxtaposition of splattered paint, pointillistic technique, vivid color, and line repetition are interrupted by unexpected materials and patterns. The improvisational nature of jazz music persists, as do echoes of the civil rights movement and Ralph Elison's "Invisible Man." However, Davis maintains his priority toward the power of aesthetic to draw viewers in, leaving plenty of room for interpretation.
The opening reception for Together, Brothers will be held at Stephanie Chefas Projects on Friday, February 1st from 7-10pm. Stephanie Chefas Projects is located in Portland, Oregon at 305 SE 3rd Avenue on the second floor of the Urban Row building. The exhibition will be on view through February 22nd, 2019 and is free and open to the public.
ABOUT JEREMY OKAI DAVIS
Jeremy Okai Davis was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and received a BFA in Painting from UNC-Charlotte. After a few years of trying to push through the North Carolina art scene, Davis relocated to Portland, Oregon in 2007. Davis splits his time as a professional graphic designer and as a professional fine artist. He has also illustrated for American Songwriter Magazine and has produced artwork for several recording artists. Davis has shown locally and nationally in Los Angeles, Seattle, Nashville, and at the famed Studio Museum of Harlem in New York City. He has permanent installations of his work in the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center at Oregon State University and recently installed six large scale paintings in the University of Oregon’s Allen Hall.
ARTWORK