One of the key elements of putting together an art exhibition is promoting it---letting the public know everything from the dates and times to details about the artwork, the artists, and any backstories that may be of interest.
Then there’s the auxiliary promotions related to exhibitions that can include books, stationary, jewelry, prints, posters and in the case of LEROI: Living in Color, shirts.
A few weeks ago, I shared photos of a shirt that my friend, Carl McIntosh of the successful British R&B Band, Loose Ends, created for the band’s latest series of London concerts.
It’s a vibrant mustard color background with my 2019 painting from the Colored People Series placed front and center.
Using that shirt as inspiration, I have selected two more paintings from my Colored People Series to transform into shirts, all three of which will be sold as my part of my exhibition “merch.”
This week, I’m unveiling the artwork for the two new shirts.
Shirt 2: Colored People Red, Violet, White.
This painting is based as much on color as concept, displaying variations of red, violet and white along with juxtaposing the shapes of lines and circles.
It was inspired by my African Heritage, particularly the Fulani and Tuareg People and their cultures, where both men and women wear colorful clothing, makeup, and earrings.
I consider these shirts to be pieces of art. They will be made from high quality materials and colors and sold through the Burchfield Penney Gift Store when the exhibition opens. They will also be available after the opening in select stores and online.
At this time, they are in the design phase, so a price has not yet been set. A portion of the proceeds from all shirt sales will benefit the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Stay tuned for more details!
LEROI: Living in Color Exhibition includes the work of students from Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT,) Buffalo Public Schools (BPS,) Just Buffalo Literary Center (JBLC,) and Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center. The exhibition will be on view at the Burchfield Penney Art Center through March 26, 2023, presented by M&T Bank, with additional support from organizations and individuals throughout the Western New York community.