J. Berry Art

Bio

J.  BERRY: LET THIS BE ME

Taking the time to review my often lost and forgotten works rediscovered in closets, boxes, and on dusty shelves, then looking at my current visions gives me a better understanding of my artistic evolution. 

In the beginning, my interest was to work only in charcoal believing that black and white was more expressive.  My early work captured the plight of the Black male in our society, highlighted the strong Black woman, and explored the Fourteen Stations of the Cross as well as other religious themes.

There were many years of comments and requests for color. I tried to explain that I see color in black and white, but most didn’t get it, so I eventually began to incorporate color into my art. I have created a number of series where color was added including, African scenes, the body (specifically a powerful abstract series titled “Blood on the Field” inspired by Wynton Marsalis), individual pieces like Mary Louise currently housed in the University of Iowa Women’s Archives, plus a capricious series featuring black babies with black Greek crests.

My most recent efforts involve a collaboration using corrugated cardboard as my background. The cardboard offers a range of complex texture. It elevates the work as a synergistic composition. Some of the drawings on top are in color and some are simple black charcoal. There are lots of dancers in silhouette, figure drawings showcasing ballet and modern dance with aesthetic and symbolic movements, along with other inspirational images in this series.

I strive to record the world and its people as a unique cultural experience. Creating life through art is my challenge. Though not represented here, my artistic endeavors also involve land sculpture, ragdolls, bottle dolls, wire sculptures, collage, oil & pastels, found objects, and mixed media.  Collage with charcoal, pastel, and oil bar when mixed with found materials like cardboard, cloth, and paper build a more realistic nature. Emotional elements of design bring out feelings of compassion, peace, and even love. More than anything I want my art to evoke some kind of response: positive or negative from the people who view it.

My work can be found in public collections such as Gencor Gallery at the Rand Afrikaans University in Johannesburg, South Africa, Belize City, Central America, Howard University in Washington, D.C., Bowie State University in Bowie, MD, the Waterloo Art Museum, and private collections all over the United States.

Finally, despite my growth and expanded creativity, I have to admit even after all these years black and white continues to be my preferred medium.