South Side Artist’s Newest Paintings Sing The Praises Of Modern Deities — Black Athletes
South Side artist Nikko Washington has opened an exhibition in Chicago’s West Loop that explores the mythology of black athletes. The exhibition, “For the Old Gods and the New,” offers a series of paintings that elevate figures like Michael Jordan and Sammy Sosa, while considering the simplification and distortion of their humanity. The art pieces reinterpret African folklore, the “Uncle Remus” tales, and other histories and myths, using black professional athletes as modern protagonists. Washington uses his art to initiate conversations about the implications of fame and celebrity status, rather than to critique these individuals.
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