Derek Fordjour’s layered paintings explore cultural rituals, social gatherings, and the complexities of Black life in the United States. By constructing textured surfaces from materials like cardboard and newspaper, Fordjour creates dynamic backgrounds upon which he depicts athletes, performers, and crowds of revelers. These works engage with themes of celebration and social vitality while also reflecting on the inequalities that persist both past and present. Fordjour’s practice is characterized by a masterful use of color, texture, and materiality, creating rich visual experiences that provoke both joy and reflection.

Fordjour holds an MFA from Hunter College and has exhibited widely in cities such as New York, London, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and Turin. His work is included in prestigious collections, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Pérez Art Museum Miami, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and the Studio Museum in Harlem. In addition to his paintings, Fordjour has expanded his practice to include sculptures and elaborate installations, further enriching his exploration of social and cultural themes.

Derek Fordjour

American

Main

Artist

Printer

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Mercantile on the Nile