Artists create worlds with their work. Black artists, in particular, are reaffirming and re-narrating the worlds that Black folks inhabit. The conversations between artist and audience are more meaningful the more participants there are. World-building is not a job that dissuades inclusion – inclusion is how the world sustains itself.
Moreover, the relationship between artist and collector is naturally symbiotic. This symbiosis is presented in EuGene Byrd III's We are the ones this time.
A young, Black girl with her shoulders covered in a black shawl with gold embellishments accented by her large gold hoop earrings. Her eyes are piercing as they contact the viewer – almost immediately initiating conversation.
Flowers of orange, golden-yellow, white, lavender, and powder blue drape the crown of her head and focus her stoic gray-scale expression, separating her from the garden background. The piece's primary focus is the strong, comforting hand placed on her cheek as she places her smaller, affirming hand onto theirs -- returning the apparent love and care.
Byrd will display this piece at Future Gallery for a Limited Edition Giclee show featuring Atlanta-based artists, Kevin "WAK” Williams, Charly Palmer, Dubleyoo, and Byrd. All of whom have found success in producing reproductions of their original work.