Hebru Brantley
'Untitled' (Power), 2022
Acrylic, spray paint, and vine charcoal on canvas
48 × 36 × 3 in
121.9 × 91.4 × 7.6 cm
121.9 × 91.4 × 7.6 cm
Signed by the artist on verso.
Copyright The Artist
Further images
Hebru Brantley's 'Untitled' (Power) blends pop culture influences with socio-political commentary, featuring his iconic characters inspired by African American identity and comic book aesthetics. The painting showcases a youthful, Black...
Hebru Brantley's 'Untitled' (Power) blends pop culture influences with socio-political commentary, featuring his iconic characters inspired by African American identity and comic book aesthetics. The painting showcases a youthful, Black protagonist embodying both strength and vulnerability, symbolizing empowerment and resilience. The vibrant colors and contrasts highlight the figure's significance, with the concept of "power" open to interpretation, suggesting it comes from within and from overcoming adversity.
Drawing from Afrofuturism, Brantley reflects on the complexities of race, identity, and empowerment, reclaiming the narrative of Black individuals as agents of change. His work resonates with contemporary social justice movements and challenges traditional notions of power, emphasizing the importance of community, resilience, and self-identity.
Brantley, influenced by artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and the graffiti scene, creates accessible yet layered artworks. His characters, such as 'Flyboy', reimagine superheroes as people of color, confronting modern mythology and American cultural experiences through his "dark fiction" lens. His work has garnered widespread recognition and is held by prominent collectors like LeBron James and Beyoncé.
Drawing from Afrofuturism, Brantley reflects on the complexities of race, identity, and empowerment, reclaiming the narrative of Black individuals as agents of change. His work resonates with contemporary social justice movements and challenges traditional notions of power, emphasizing the importance of community, resilience, and self-identity.
Brantley, influenced by artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and the graffiti scene, creates accessible yet layered artworks. His characters, such as 'Flyboy', reimagine superheroes as people of color, confronting modern mythology and American cultural experiences through his "dark fiction" lens. His work has garnered widespread recognition and is held by prominent collectors like LeBron James and Beyoncé.