I don’t want my art to just be seen, I want it to be experienced. My focus is to successfully convey a message or feeling through the images, colors, and brushstrokes in my work. I like to speak from my personal life experiences from my perspective as a young black male in America. My aim is to explore social issues, culture, and history of the black community in the diaspora and abroad. My style is more graphic than realistic. I believe this makes the work easier for younger audiences to digest and also so that the viewer is focusing more on the content rather than just what the piece looks like. Reflecting the human figure is very powerful to me, which is why I choose to tell my stories through portraiture and figurative works. I want to create art that that the viewer connects with on a personal level. I want them to be able to see themselves, their friends, and their family in my work. By telling my story I want to help the viewer rediscover theirs.
Exhibitions
Selected Group Exhibitions
2022
The House of Sedulo Artist Residency, London
Chateau Orquevaux Artist Residency, Chateau Orquevaux, Orquevaux, Champagne-Ardenne, France
2020
26th Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition, African American Museum, Dallas, TX
2020 Florida Biennial, Arts and Culture Center, Hollywood, FL
In The Clouds, Mize Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL
The Nameless Now: NEFL Artists Respond, Crisp-Ellert Art Museum, St. Augustine, FL
JTA Art Show, JTA Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, Jacksonville, FL
The Wall at College Park collaborative mural, Town and Country Shopping Center, Jacksonville, FL
2020 PINNACLE National Juried Art Competition, Florida A&M University Foster-Tanner Art Fine Arts Gallery, Tallahassee, FL
2019
Nguzo Saba: Reaffirmation Exhibition, Mahogany Gallery by Scott Terry, Kenosha, WI
Mint Condition: Everything Red + White, Mergeculture Gallery, Tampa, FL
Through Our Eyes: Journey To South Africa, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Sweater Weather, Mize Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL
First Come First Serve, Fort Works Art, Fort Worth, TX
Inaugural Exhibition, Mahogany Gallery by Scott Terry, Kenosha, WI
Real People 2019, Old Court House Arts Center, Woodstock, IL
Through Our Eyes: The Revolution Will Be Documented By The Artists, Ritz Theatre and Museum, Jacksonville, FL
SMILE, Mize Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL
Enroute, Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center and Visual Arts Gallery, Daytona Beach, FL
Breaching The Margins, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, MI
Featured Artist, Mandela 100th Luncheon, The Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC
A Vision For Art, St. Marks Episcopal Day School, Jacksonville, FL
On The Fringe: Blurred Lines Of Florida Folk, Jax Makerspace Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
Black History Art Exhibit, Southern Exposure Gallery, Tallahassee, FL
2018
Art Beat Miami Art Exhibition, Caribbean Marketplace, Miami, FL
M.U.C.E Arts and Culture Festival “Ode to Hip Hop,” Little Haiti Cultural Complex, Miami, FL
Black Opal: The Art Experience, WJCT, Jacksonville, FL
Corks and Canvas Art Exhibition, XO Lounge, Jacksonville, FL
Juneteenth Art Expo, Bohemian Lounge, Jacksonville, FL
Ancient Roots, Mergeculture Gallery, Tampa, FL
The Black Renaissance Art Show, Studio Zsa Zsa Lapree, Jacksonville, FL
Through Our Eyes: Journey To South Africa, Ritz Theatre and Museum, Jacksonville, FL
First Things First, Karpelis Manuscript Library Museum, Jacksonville, FL
2017
Small Matters, Yellow House Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
Black Opal: The Art Experience, The 5 and Dime A Theatre Company, Jacksonville, FL
Resistance Pop Up Art Show, Union Street Studios, Jacksonville, FL
Black Chrysanthemum Art Show, Studio Zsa Zsa Lapree, Jacksonville, FL
Black Magic Live Art Museum, Delo Studio, Jacksonville, FL
Exhibition Of Excellence, Downtown Cigar Lounge, Jacksonville, FL
Solo Exhibtion
2018
Solo Exhibition, Burrito Gallery, Jacksonville, FL
2016
Cooli Ras Art Solo Show, Downtown Cigar Lounge, Jacksonville, FL
Other
2019
Visiting Artist, James Weldon Johnson Middle School, Jacksonville, FL
Artist @ Work Panel Discussion, Jax Makerspace, Jacksonville, FL
2018
Art Republic Global mural, Jacksonville, FL
District of Soul Mural, Northwest Jacksonville CDC, Jacksonville, FL
Mural, The Posh Factory Performing Arts Center, Jacksonville, FL
TEDx Jacksonville, Live Painter, Florida Theater, Jacksonville, FL
We Rise “Pro Peace,” Arts, and Music Festival, Jacksonville, FL
Visiting Artist, Fort Caroline Middle School, Jacksonville, FL
Art Battle One, Art Battle two, Art Battle Finals, Hotel Palms, Jacksonville, FL
Writing On The Walls, Banksy Exhibit, Jax Makerspace, Jacksonville, FL
Natural Hair & Health Expo, Featured Artist, Tallahassee, FL
Color Me Kona “The World’s Largest Coloring Book Party” 2, Kona Skate Park, Jacksonville, FL
GIANTS TV Series, Season 2, Episodes 202 and 203
2017
Carib Freak Fest (Art Basel Miami), The Alley Wynwood, Miami, FL
Color Me Kona “The World’s Largest Coloring Book Party,” Kona Skate Park, Jacksonville, FL
Pancakes & Booze, Georgia Freight Center, Atlanta, GA
Collections
Works held in private collections in Canada, the United States, and UK.
Awards and Grants
Individual Artist Grant, Community First Credit Union of Florida in the amount of $1,000.
Community Foundation Art Ventures Grant in the amount of $3,500.
Copyright © 2021 Cooli Ras ART - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy