Jeremy Okai Davis | from the stage, a calling…
November 7 - December 7, 2024
First Thursday Reception: November 7, 2024
Elizabeth Leach Gallery is pleased to present from the stage, a calling…, an exhibition of recent paintings by Jeremy Okai Davis.
This new body of work explores the rich history of Black performance, drawing inspiration from the vibrant worlds of comedy, music, vaudeville and even magic. Davis seeks to capture the resilience, creativity, and joy that Black performers have brought to the stage, often against the backdrop of systemic oppression. Performance, for many Black artists, has always been more than just entertainment—it’s been a powerful form of expression, resistance, and identity. The parallels between this and his practice are undeniable. As a visual artist he feels inclined to educate himself through research and turn that into the performance of creation and exhibition much like this, from the stage, a calling emerges, where laughter, music, and movement become tools for expression and subversion. This calling is not just about the act of performance but about the deeper responsibility to reflect the complexities of the Black experience. For those who answered this call, the stage became a platform to challenge stereotypes, break boundaries, and create new narratives. Through his work, Davis aims to honor that legacy, capturing the spirit and impact of those who have used performance to reshape history.
Comedy and music, especially, have been powerful tools for survival, allowing Black artists to navigate and challenge racial stereotypes. Comedy specifically has allowed an honest critique of American politics, culture, as well as, analysis of Black lifestyles, be them positive or seemingly negative. Davis uses bold colors, dynamic compositions, text and symbolic imagery to evoke the energy and emotion of these performers, who used their talents not only to entertain but to redefine cultural norms. His work reflects on the duality of performance as both a means of survival and a space for subversion. By referencing historical figures like Bert Williams, Dick Gregory, and Butterfly McQueen, Jeremy Okai Davis wants to honor their legacy while questioning how the complexities of race, performance, and identity continue to shape Black artistry today. In capturing the spirit of these performers, the artist hopes to create a visual dialogue that bridges the past and present, celebrating the brilliance of Black creativity while acknowledging the barriers it has faced.
For more information about the subjects of Davis’ paintings, click here.
Jeremy Okai Davis (b. Charlotte, NC) received a BFA in painting from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, NC. Davis relocated to Portland, OR in 2007 where he has continued his studio practice in addition to working as a graphic designer and illustrator. His work has been shown nationally at the Studio Museum of Harlem (New York, NY), THIS Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA), Wa Na Wari (Seattle, WA) and The Rotating Art Program at Portland International Airport (Portland, OR). Davis's work resides in the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center at Oregon State University and the University of Oregon's permanent collection. Elizabeth Leach Gallery began representing Davis's work in 2019.