Derrick Adams is drawing attention for a body of work that uses bold color and vivid scenes to portray Black life in America, according to CBS News. At 56, he is widely viewed as one of the leading artists of his generation.
Adams, who was born and raised in Baltimore and later moved to New York for college and to build his career, said he uses color to create a psychological response in viewers. He also noted that his work can shift between minimal and dense compositions depending on the experience he wants to create.
A mid-career retrospective of Adams’ work is now on display at Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art, where the exhibit fills the space with his signature palette. Among the pieces are scenes of everyday leisure, including works from his “Floater” series.
Adams said his art aims to show Black life in all of its complexity, including moments of calm and safety. He described that idea as Black joy, and said he wants viewers to understand that Black people deserve those experiences too.
Critics have praised Adams for expanding the possibilities of American art through depictions of Black contemporary life. Adams, however, said his main goal is simpler: to keep making work that radiates joy.
