NEVAEH ALEXANDER Rise | Acrylic | 2018

“I made this painting to honor my grandfather who was a black panther. I used acrylic paint. The cracked brick wall in
the background symbolizes the inner city and its deteriorating infrastructure. I chose to depict a blue rose because blue
roses do not exist in nature and due to that they symbolize attaining the impossible. To make it out of the inner city in
a positive manner is unusual because there are many traps in place to leave the area in a jumpsuit or a casket instead.
This piece fits so perfectly with the exhibition theme because roses are not supposed to grow from concrete. This means
that this plant had to be resilient to bloom into its beauty. The fist and its pan-African colors represent the force by which
my grandfather was able to persevere and break out of the concrete/his circumstances. He had to gain knowledge of self
and learn his African history to rise above negativity. One technique that I taught myself while working on this piece was
to dab my paintbrush without necessarily blending the paint. I used this technique to achieve a multi-toned blue rose
without a neat looking gradience. The colors in the fist are already well blended so I wanted to use a different approach
on the rose. I chose to not paint too many layers of color onto the bricks in the background because I wanted the texture
of the canvas to still show through, therefore representing a textured brick wall.”

• Nevaeh Alexander

Nevaeh Alexander is a nineteen year old sophomore at The Ohio State University and was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio.
Alexander states, “I am a self taught artist looking to expand my artistic ability. I aim to create more work and participate
in more exhibitions or art events. My love for art was influenced by my grandfather who would support my hobby of painting
and drawing by providing me with supplies. I hope that I can continue to create pieces that resonate with souls and touch
hearts.” Alexander plans to specialize in creating art that touches on relevant social issues.