Visions Spring 2018 Graduating Art Exhibition featured artists, Quanee Smith,
Denzel Goldwire and Country Dickey. (from left to right)
Photo credit: Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery
Denzel Goldwire, Quanee Smith, and Courtney Dickey are graduating fine arts students, and they are sending a message. One that needs to be seen and not heard.
They presented their individual series of work at the opening reception of “Visions Spring 2018 Graduating Senior Art Exhibition” on April 5. Visions is a series that honors a culmination of graduating students’ work.
Throughout Goldwires’ life, he has studied the word of God. He believes that the people God gives a voice to are prophets. “God gives a voice to certain people,” he said.
Goldwire’s Basquiat-inspired portraits delve into the lives of political activists. His series “4 The Cause,” includes portraits of Fred Hammond, Tupac, Kalief Browder and Malala Yousafzai. Goldwires use of mixed media helps him tell each “prophets” story and explores themes distinct to each activist.
“The color variation represents their fight, and the words represent what sparked their movements,” Goldwire explained.
He explained how all their stories are intertwined and that all the individuals he has chosen, have made an impact despite their young age.
Upon graduating from FAMU, Goldwire hopes to attend SCAD for his master’s degree and to follow in Basquiat’s footsteps.
“I will spark the brain that will change the world,” Goldwire said, quoting Tupac.
The exhibition also featured Dickey’s digital art. Dickey’s digital art highlights the accomplishments of African-American women society. The list of women includes Beyoncé, Cardi B, Tobria Majors and more along with a self-portrait. Each of these individuals are Dickeys’ own personal heroes.
Each piece includes Ben-Day dots, better known as comic book dots, into the background. The art focuses on the present and shows that there are women today worth being celebrated.
“I used color to show each woman’s personality and characteristics,” Dickey said. “The dots were my way of turning them into modern day heroes.
In the future, Dickey hopes to be a graphic novelist.
In comparison, Smith showcased her work in a fashion show. Smith’s early love for clothes started around the age of eight and can be seen through childhood pictures of Smith and her sister taken by her mom. Smith said her mom keeps these pictures in a collection of photo albums at home.
“Clothes have always been an outlet for me to express myself,” Smith said.
Each piece was inspired from the outfits she wore in photos of her as a child. She incorporated the same fabrics, but put her own spin on each design.
Smith has been inspired by old school Christian Dior and she loves how he was able to give women a voice. She said fashion combines her two loves; which include, clothes and how it has the power to make women feel confident.
“If it wasn’t for my mom, I wouldn’t be as confident as I am. I want to show woman that it’s okay to be sexy,” Smith said. Smith hopes to share this confidence with the world.
“Visions Spring 2018 Graduating Senior Art Exhibition,” sponsored by the FAMU Student Government Association, will remain open until April 27 in the Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery.