Qiaira Riley

"Mini Mart", Human Figure, Portrait, Advertisement Motif, Acrylic on Wood

2018

"Hyde Park" is an original artwork by Qiaira Riley made from acrylic and paper on found wood. This piece measures measures 17"h x 24"w unframed. "Inspired by the changing visual landscape of my hometown of Chicago, I created these works to explore how the gentrification of the south-side disrupts intimate, private memories associated with public spaces in the name of urban "renewal," even creating commodifiable opportunities to make community memories public and profitable, yet not sacred. I was attending a suburban private liberal arts college; many classmates often seemed obsessed with fantastical, cheap narratives about my community and the folks in it that deeply contrasted the memories of love and care I had grown up with. These works remember and reclaim these spaces while showing off my favorite public treasures, sights, and delicacies. There are also odes to the sweet parts of my adolescence that I hope urban development will not shift: running around the city with my father, who has worked for the Chicago Park District for over 25 years, my mom getting me a 6 piece from Harold's Chicken whenever I got a good report card, or stopping by Zberry, the city's first black-woman owned froyo shop to get a treat after school. I moved to Philadelphia that same year with just two suitcases, my art supplies storage...

"Come Out and Play" is an original piece by Qiaira Riley made from acrylic paint on found wood. This piece measures measures 24"h x 14"w unframed. "Inspired by the changing visual landscape of my hometown of Chicago, I created these works to explore how the gentrification of the south-side disrupts intimate, private memories associated with public spaces in the name of urban "renewal," even creating commodifiable opportunities to make community memories public and profitable, yet not sacred. I was attending a suburban private liberal arts college; many classmates often seemed obsessed with fantastical, cheap narratives about my community and the folks in it that deeply contrasted the memories of love and care I had grown up with. These works remember and reclaim these spaces while showing off my favorite public treasures, sights, and delicacies. There are also odes to the sweet parts of my adolescence that I hope urban development will not shift: running around the city with my father, who has worked for the Chicago Park District for over 25 years, my mom getting me a 6 piece from Harold's Chicken whenever I got a good report card, or stopping by Zberry, the city's first black-woman owned froyo shop to get a treat after school. I moved to Philadelphia that same year with just two suitcases, my art supplies storage...

"An Invasion" is a piece by Qiaira Riley made from acrylic paint and beads on found wood. This piece measures measures 24"h x 24"w unframed. "Inspired by the changing visual landscape of my hometown of Chicago, I created these works to explore how the gentrification of the south-side disrupts intimate, private memories associated with public spaces in the name of urban "renewal," even creating commodifiable opportunities to make community memories public and profitable, yet not sacred. I was attending a suburban private liberal arts college; many classmates often seemed obsessed with fantastical, cheap narratives about my community and the folks in it that deeply contrasted the memories of love and care I had grown up with. These works remember and reclaim these spaces while showing off my favorite public treasures, sights, and delicacies. There are also odes to the sweet parts of my adolescence that I hope urban development will not shift: running around the city with my father, who has worked for the Chicago Park District for over 25 years, my mom getting me a 6 piece from Harold's Chicken whenever I got a good report card, or stopping by Zberry, the city's first black-woman owned froyo shop to get a treat after school. I moved to Philadelphia that same year with just two suitcases, my art supplies storage...

"Surrounded By Fuzzy Friends" is a piece by Akira Gordon made from acrylic and oil on canvas. This piece measures 48"h x 60"w unframed. Akira hopes to give black people images that...

This piece titled "Bornholm" is an original artwork made from acrylic on canvas by KC Ortiz. This piece measures 38.5"h x 27.5"w. Born in Chicago, and currently residing in Copenhag...

This piece titled "Sweet Unrest" is an original piece by Duy Huynh and is made from acrylic on wood panelr. This piece measures 18”h x 18”w. Born in Vietn...

Acrylic paint and ink on paper Hand-signed and dated on the left

An original pair of acrylic on paper paintings (diptych) by emerging contemporary artist Anthony Leone, currently featured as part of the artists's solo exhibition Grape Farm. These...

Arghya Priya Majumdar - Untitled - 11 x 15 inches (unframed size) Acrylic on imported paper Inclusive of shipment in roll form. Style : In his work he combines real and unreal huma...

"The Boxer" series is an on-going body of work by Apostolos Chantzaras. This is a large scale artwork with bold colors and a graphic feeling of pop-nostalgia and movement. We are hap...

"The Boxer" series is an on-going body of work by Apostolos Chantzaras. As a practicing boxer himself, the artist has a passion for the sport and it shows in his bold yet whimsical w...

original painting; acrylic and paper on high quality canvas stretcher. 23.6x31.5". The sides are painted and it's ready to hang (unframed). Based on a great shot of Lenny Kravitz