Who R U? Curated by Marteja Bailey
August 3rd – August 25th | Opening Reception August 3rd, 1pm – 9pm
In the Shadows Oil on Canvas, 40x60, 2022
COOP is pleased to present Who R U?, curated by Marteja Bailey featuring James Brown, Kanytra Bumpas, Saraya Charlton, Lamarcus Ellis (PhishBone), Robert Fairly, Alexis Jones, Charles Key (Lowkey Art), Kaylan Lemon, and James Mathews (Dvmvgedgxxds). Centered around what it means to be an artist, Bailey curated this exhibition of new works as a bold exploration of freedom, identity, and artistry. Each artist selected for the exhibition created a single piece that represents who they are as an artist and addresses the theme of who an artist is. Who R U? connects artists back to their innermost being and shows a true expression of self with no limitation.
More about the Curator and Artists:
Marteja Bailey is a Nashville-based artist who creates works centered around mental health and spirituality. Bailey’s primary focus is to fulfill rooted foundations of storytelling through art including her own, as well as perceived experiences of others within her community.
James Brown is a Nashville-based artist who aims to inspire creativity and evoke appreciation for art in all aspects of life.
Saraya Charlton was born in Cleveland, OH, and raised in Nashville, TN. Charlton finds solace, a deep connection to spirituality, and expression through art, often drawing vivid memories like the wolves from a childhood dream.
Kanytra Bumpas is a visual artist who uses vibrant acrylics to show the liveliness and beauty of Black people. She is passionate about illustrating each piece with a different feeling and mood.
Lamarcus Ellis (PhishBone) paintings embody a visual style characterized by bold, vibrant colors and deeply metaphorical themes infused with playfulness.
Robert Fairley III, also known as “Rf3theartist,” is an African-American artist born and raised in Nashville, TN who specializes in creating erotic artwork depicting gay sexual fantasies, the human body, his imagination, and himself for inspiration.
Alexis Jones is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Tennessee. Shifting towards 3D work during the pandemic, Jones utilizes laser cutting and various painting techniques to transform salvage wood and plexiglass.
Charles Key, also known by his artistic moniker “Jamesonsgc,” creates artwork that merges his artistic talent and background in engineering with a passion for community.
James Matthews is based in Nashville, TN, and Cincinnati, OH. Through his brand "Damaged Goods," Matthews aims to transform pain into beauty, recognizing that everyone carries their own hidden struggles, ultimately celebrating resilience and healing through his art.
Kaylan Lemon is a self-taught artist who uses bold colors to explore the human form and how it is connected to healing.
More about COOP
COOP is a curatorial collective made up of artists, curators, thinkers and professors who are committed to expanding Nashville’s dialogue with contemporary art by presenting challenging new or under-represented artists/artworks to our community. COOP is committed to exhibiting art of diverse media and content, with a goal to provide an alternative venue for artists free from the constraints of the retail market. COOP seeks to initiate a discourse between Nashville and art scenes across the country by inviting artists to show, develop projects and interact with the Nashville community.
For questions contact: Louis Holstein, louisholstein@gmail.com