What do President Barack Obama, Marilyn Monroe, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Paul Reubens (Pee-wee Herman) have in common? According to artist Charly Palmer, each has a “Tar Baby”. In this exhibition, Palmer boldly asks “What is your Tar Baby?” as he appropriates African folklore to address issues of bigotry, racism and stereotypes. He examines the lives of athletes, civil rights leaders, entertainers, politicians, scholars, African and Native Americans.
Artwork
What is your Tar Baby? #1
11" x 14"
Acrylic collage on Canvas
The Meeting
12” x 24”
Acrylic/ Mixed Media on Canvas
No Hero to Me
30” x 40”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Mr. President
24” x 48”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Professor Gates
(Henry Louis Gates, Jr.)
24” x 48”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
What is your Tar Baby? #3
11" x 14"
Acrylic/Collage on Canvas
Brer Martin
(Martin Luther King, Jr.)
11” x 16”
Acrylic on Paper
Malcolm X
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
Revolutionary
(Angela Davis)
24” X 36”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Adolf
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
What is your Tar Baby? #4
11" x 14"
Acrylic/Collage on Canvas
That is Why Africa
(Dave Chappelle)
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
Fried Chicken
(Richard Pryor)
11” x 16”
Acrylic on Paper
Fela
(Fela Kuti)
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
Paul Robeson
30” x 40”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Baldwin
(James Baldwin)
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
Tar Baby
(Cornel West)
11” x 16”
Acrylic on paper
First Stone
(Paul Reubens)
24” x 48”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Black Smoke: Jack Johnson
11” x 16”
Acrylic on Paper
Joe Louis
24” x 48”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
The Hare and the Turtle
(Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston)
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
Freedom Cost
30” x 40”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Rose and Thorns
16” x 11”
Acrylic on Paper
Mother Jackson
(Mahalia Jackson)
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
Ms. Dandridge
(Dorothy Dandridge)
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
Miss Baker
(Josephine Baker)
24” x 48”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Josephine Baker
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
Marilyn Monroe
24” x 48”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Nina
(Nina Simone)
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
Tar Baby
30” x 40”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Emmett Till
24” x 48”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Black Love
24” x 48”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
My Tar Baby
24” X 36”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Church Lies
24” x 48”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
What is your Tar Baby? #2
11" x 14"
Acrylic collage on Canvas
Teenage Mother
24” x 36”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
Big Rabbit
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
We Love Watermelon
24” x 48”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas
Native American Sister
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper
Native American Brother
11” x 16”
Acrylic/Mixed Media on Paper