Upon entering, you are immediately greeted by a striking painting of a woman holding an oversized palette, positioned before an incomplete artwork marked with numbers. Her steady gaze meets yours; her rich, dark skin sharply contrasts with the swipe of white paint she highlights with her brush. This moment encapsulates the artist’s intention, showcasing her deliberate choices in color, brushwork, perspective, and materials, as well as the themes and biases explored in her creations.
Across the gallery, you’ll discover a significant 2012 piece titled The Academy. It features a male life model, sporting a voluminous afro and dressed only in a jockstrap, raising his fist in a powerful Black Power salute. Adjacent to him hangs a rope adorned with gold glitter, paired with a set of loafers. Shoes, as we learn from Marshall, play a crucial role in conveying deeper meanings within his work.
