Self-Care is Self-Preservation: Featured Pieces by Black Artists

February 1-March 31 | Franklin Gallery, Third Floor

This year, as we celebrate Black History Month, we focus on the theme and importance of Black Health and Wellness. Health and Wellness is not just about the body, but about the mind and soul as well. Art is a medium for expressing one’s self and practicing self-care, especially when the world is threatening or is threatened by your existence.

The featured pieces in the exhibit speak to the diverse environments and traditions that contribute to the fabric of Black culture.

Click here for more information about the Black Health and Wellness theme.

Artists:

Artie McFly

Artie McFly has been designing and creating art from a young age. Driven by pop culture, comic books, and fantasy illustration, Artie felt drawn to the political and social aspect of this medium.

Artie is an art alumnus of the Marwen Foundation and has found success educating underprivileged youth on the Southside of Chicago with the After School Matters program. He has painted murals across Chicago and in the Bronx neighborhood of New York City. You can find his streetwear designs on the television shows The Chi and On My Block. Learn more: Instagram | Website

Cosmo G

Cos G aka Cosmo Galactus is a true renaissance artist. Born and raised in Chicago, he decided to use the arts as an escape from the hectic streets. A born emcee, avid comic book reader, professional photographer and heralded cinematographer, Cosmo; an all-around creative, established the Fly Nerd Group platform for artists to have a place to be themselves. Learn more: Instagram | Website

Dr. Cranston Ramirez-Knight

Dr. Cranston Ramirez-Knight is an Afro-Latino historian, photographer, and writer. Ramirez-Knight makes every effort to see the “common and make it extraordinary.” His work has been on exhibition at numerous venues over the years.  “Photography has the ability to confront, record, and create-few other art forms are as versatile.” He lives in Chicago with his wife Joyce. Learn more: Website

Damon Lamar Reed

After graduating from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Damon began his career as an Artist and entrepreneur. To date, he has created over 280 public art projects including: works for Showtime (The Chi), Gatorade, the Blackhawks, Ticketmaster, Sears, and more. His work is highlighted in Kym Pinders’ Painting the Gospel. The BBC did a feature on the impact of Damon’s art; and recently News Nation, ABC, CBS, WGN, and NBC did features on his latest series, Still Searching, where he paints portraits of missing women. He is filming a documentary with the same name, backed by Hulu, Kartemquin and Still I Rise Films. Learn more: Instagram | Website

Pugs Atomz

Designer, Muralist. Rapper, Radio Host, Pugs Atomz is a true Hip Hop renaissance man. His Art and Music have been featured in TV Shows, movies, commercials, sporting events, and video games. His inspiration stems from growing up in the Chicago neighborhood of Englewood. Atomz debuted his first music album in 2000, then took on the role of Creative Director for Iridium Clothing which has attracted the eye of various celebrities like Usher, Justin Bieber, Whoopi Goldberg, and more. Today you can find him designing for various brands and working on Public Art projects with his cofounded www.EnglewoodArtsCollective.com and The @Muralsrus crew around the USA. Learn more: Instagram | Website

Sidney White

Sidney White is a 16-year-old high school student based on the Southside of Chicago. Sidney dedicates this triptych art to the medical personnel, specifically Black women, who are continually pushing through societal pressures and the fight against Covid-19. Showcasing the strength of these women pays homage to the women of the past who have paved the way for such opportunities and who continue to inspire future generations to no longer look down at our troubles, but to look up at our possibilities. 

Stacy Moss-Paul

Stacy is a native of Evanston, IL and is a graduate of DePaul University. She first discovered her love of language and writing in her 7th grade language arts class, creating worlds for the multitude of characters that exist(ed) in her imagination. Her work explores the themes of anger, grief, joy, longing, & love. Her favorite writers are Langston Hughes & Shirley Jackson. She believes, “Without art, life would be meaningless…”

Interested in Displaying Your Artwork?

Artists interested in exhibiting their artwork in the Library's 3rd Floor Franklin Gallery should contact Margaret Rychtarczyk at 847-663-1234.