Acrylic and Collage on Archival Paper
22 x 19 in
56 x 48 cm
US $ 3,800
This dynamic piece from the Mumbo Jumbo series presents a chaotic, swirling mass of abstract shapes that seem to engulf the canvas. The fire hose, central to this body of work, is fragmented into undulating ribbons of orange and cream, crisscrossing and wrapping the figure beneath. Unlike previous works in the series, this composition intensifies the sense of entanglement and confusion. The figure, barely discernible within the mass, is almost completely absorbed by the visual cacophony, suggesting an overwhelming force of societal pressures and historical violence.
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This dynamic piece from the Mumbo Jumbo series presents a chaotic, swirling mass of abstract shapes that seem to engulf the canvas. The fire hose, central to this body of work, is fragmented into undulating ribbons of orange and cream, crisscrossing and wrapping the figure beneath. Unlike previous works in the series, this composition intensifies the sense of entanglement and confusion. The figure, barely discernible within the mass, is almost completely absorbed by the visual cacophony, suggesting an overwhelming force of societal pressures and historical violence.
The color palette, dominated by fiery reds, creams, and oranges, conveys a heightened emotional intensity. The figure’s feet, highlighted in blue, appear to be suspended in motion, yet they are locked in place by the dense web of forms. The digital-age emojis are again scattered throughout, their playfulness clashing with the more serious historical undertones of the work.
Deceus continues to explore the complexities of Black identity in America, navigating between the personal and the collective, much like the Haitian artist Edouard Duval-Carrié, who also blends surrealism and cultural iconography. The title Mumbo Jumbo alludes to Ishmael Reed’s novel, where the distortion of African American identity is a central theme. Similarly, in this painting, the overwhelming presence of the fire hose creates a sense of suffocation, reflecting the constant battle for agency within a system designed to confine. The chaotic composition mirrors Reed's exploration of the confusion and pressures distorting identity. This work’s frenetic energy mirrors the challenges faced by individuals trying to find clarity and freedom amidst a world of external constraints.