Artists Usher and Grace Raymond, T.I., Shanti Das, former Atlanta Falcons player Warrick Dunn and a slew of other notables attended a recent reception for D.L. Warfield's show #MyBFisBLK ("My Boyfriend is Black") at the Collective One Gallery.
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Credit: Jennifer Brett
Credit: Jennifer Brett
"More than anything we are happy to be here to support family, thank you so much for your art," said Usher, who welcomed patrons. He, T.I. and Shanti all worked with Warfield when he was resident art director at LaFace Records.
The works explore the stigma and racism that surrounded the artist's relationship with the woman who is now his wife while growing up in St. Louis in the 1980s. He's black and she's white. The exhibition will run through May 15.
"We often had to hide the fact that we shared a colorless love," Warfield said in his artist's statement. "Support of our relationship was lackluster at best, but we were able to stick it out by sticking together."
The celebrity attendees were moved by the exhibition. Usher purchased a work called “The Lovings Fish” and T.I. received a piece called “DOPE” from the artist.
Dr. Jim Chappuis, founder of the Westside Cultural Arts Center, hosted the debut. Others in attendance included Bounce TV CEO Ryan Glover, Emmy-nominated actor Sean Blakemore ("General Hospital"), prominent local restaurateur Justin Anthony, Fox 5 anchors Cynné Simpson and Tom Haynes, jewelry designer Keisha Carter Noel former New York Giants player Brandon Jacobs and former Cleveland Browns player Mohamed Massaquoi.
Collective One Gallery is a fine art gallery at the Westside Cultural Arts Center. Under the guidance of owner Dr. James Chappuis and co-creative directors Anthony Liggins and Eric Mack, Collective One strives to expose and celebrate the works of talented international, national, regional and local artists.
