America Unrest Sole

August 17 - September 26, 2023
Exhibition Poster that has a drawing and text that reads "Jesse Howard, America Unrest Sole, The President's Gallery, Harold Washington College, 30 E Lake St, 11th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601, Artist Lecture and Reception: September 13th, 10am-12pm, Exhibition Dates: August 17th - September 26th, 2023, Image copyright: Jesse Howard, A Young Millennial Practicing Mask Protocol, 2022."
Exhibition Statement
"I periodically visit my old neighborhood and feel motivated to tell the story of African Americans that have been neglected in history despite our many accomplishments. The stories of African Americans navigating through a systemic system should be told and depicted. I go beyond the negative and showcase the culture in all its beauty, reality, and essence. 
I’m not really interested in recreating a likeness of the people and illustrating their environment, but to capture their stress and pressures that make up their physical existence. 
Some African Americans live in an impoverished environment with very little hope and no means to escape. While these conditions can often have a negative impact it helped to lay the foundation for my art and develop my voice. 
This body of work shows a celebration of humanity. Although one may feel there is no way out – there is life, such as black women enjoying a moment posing for selfies. While there is police brutality and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within a community one functions as best they can and makes the most out of negative circumstances."
- Jesse Howard
Check out the website for the organizer of Jesse Howard's lecture, the HWC Visiting Artists Program, below:
HWC Visiting Artists Program
Exhibition Pieces
An exaggerated drawing of a woman, kneeling on the ground with her arms out and screaming as if she is pleading or cowering. The image is drawn in black and white with small details of pink and red.

Jesse Howard, A Cry for Justice throughout the Ages, Charcoal & Acrylic Paint, 38 x 50 inches, 2020

an exaggerated black and white drawing of a man's face with a beard and glasses

Jesse Howard, A Smoker in Transition, Charcoal & Acrylic Paint, 30 x 30 inches, 2022

A drawing of a woman from the side with a backpack and wearing a mask and bandana. The drawing is black and white except for the bandana which is red and yellow.

Jesse Howard, A Young Millennial Practicing Mask Protocol, Charcoal & Pastel, 30 x 30 inches, 2022

A drawing of a man and woman facing each other. The man is wearing a police uniform and the woman has an angry expression on her face.

Jesse Howard, Awkward Encounter, Charcoal, Pastel & Acrylic Paint, 38 x 45 inches, 2018

A drawing of a woman holding a baby and looking behind her. The baby is reaching out for a doll on the floor.

Jesse Howard, Blue Nile with Daughter, 16 x 18 inches, Graphite & Wash, 2022

An exaggerate drawing of a man wearing black and red clothing.

Jesse Howard, Blues for Naima, Charcoal & Pastel, 45 x 34 inches, 2021

A drawing of a woman with long hair facing away with a child holding a doll facing front

Jesse Howard, Madonna and Child, Graphite & Acrylic Paint, 16 x 18 inches, 2022

An exaggerated drawing of a young girl holding a crow in her reached out hand. There is also a colorful hummingbird flying to the left of the girl.

Jesse Howard, Gia and the Hummingbird, Charcoal & Acrylic Wash, 16 x 18 inches, 2022

An exaggerated printed image of a woman in side profile wearing a mask, jewelry, and her hair up in a bun with a wrap. The print is black and white except for the mask which is red and the wrap which is yellow.

Jesse Howard, Profile in Elegance, Lithograph, 25 x 30 inches, 2022

A drawing of a woman wearing a mask and hoop earrings, looking down. The drawing is black and white, except for the woman's hair which is red and the hoop earring which is yellow.

Jesse Howard, Protocol in Red Braids, Charcoal & Pastel, 38 x 40 inches, 2021

An exaggerated drawing of a man from the neck up.

Jesse Howard, Evening News Entertainment, Charcoal & Acrylic Paint, 24 x 30 inches, 2020

An exaggerated drawing of a bearded man's torso and face. The man is wearing a hood and there is a checkered x drawn on his torso.

Jesse Howard, The Cross Road for Monk, Charcoal, 38 x 42 inches, 2022

An exaggerated printed image of a man with facial hair wearing an eye patch.

Jesse Howard, Spec, Lithograph, 20 x 15 inches, 2023

A drawing of a bearded man with long hair and a hat. The drawing is black and white except for part of the man's clothes which is yellow and strands of the man's hair, which are red.

Jesse Howard, The Guardian, Charcoal & Acrylic Paint, 24 x 26 inches, 2021

A diptych drawing of a man on the left side wearing a large coat and bandana and text on the right side with various messages written by high school students in white, red, and pink.

Jesse Howard, Urban Hieroglyphics, Charcoal & Pastel, 38 x 60 inches, 2018

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