ARTIST TALK: Jonathan Adams

Jonathan Adams’ drawings display an otherworldly confluence of mythical and historical narratives as they relate to personal and collective histories. Adams’ excavates our psychological, symbolic, and social ghosts of contemporary black life after death. Experiences of growing up in the culturally complex Appalachian region of the American South - notably early experiences in the church (Beasts and mythology of scripture), family drug abuse, systemic class racism and southern mysticism inform the sensational imagery present in his work. He explores the ups and downs of intimate sheltering, while seeking social connection and an end to systemic racism during this time of despair.

Jonathan Adams (b. 1991, Bristol, VA) is an artist from Bristol, VA/TN. He earned his BFA in drawing from East Tennessee State University and his MFA in Interdisciplinary Studio Art from Rutgers University. His work has been exhibited in the lower eastside 21 Ludlow st, The Brooklyn Army Terminal under the contemporary artist Kara Walker, Crosstown Arts in Memphis, Chautauqua Visual Art galleries, Wiregrass Museum of Art and was a Part-time Lecturer in Drawing at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Adams' currently lives with his family in VA/TN and loves noodles.