June 19, 2021
From West Chelsea Contemporary:
“On Saturday, June 19, West Chelsea Contemporary Editions is set to release its first limited run of new works with legendary contemporary artist Cey Adams. Adams worked in close collaboration with master printer Gary Lichtenstein to create three new screen-prints, each a continuation of his American flag series. Known for his love of mixed media collage and hailed for his ‘Trusted Brands’ body of work, Cey Adams sources materials from magazines, newspapers and handmade papers. This series is about:
“…projecting a true reflection of who we are. All of us. Celebrating the best America has to offer” (A Conversation with Cey Adams, 2020).
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, celebrates and commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. Originating in TX, Juneteenth marks the day Union Troops arrived in Galveston bringing news of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation – two and a half years later. The ideology of June 19th is echoed in Cey Adams’ flag series:
“My flag works reflect the common thread
of American values in us all. In this regard,
I believe that our similarities outweigh our differences.
The goal here is to bring us
closer together, creating a platform for
discussion and understanding.” – Cey Adams
Cey Adams, a New York City native, emerged from the downtown graffiti movement in the 80’s to exhibit alongside fellow artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. As the founding Creative Director of Def Jam Recordings, Adams developed some of the most iconic visuals in Hip-Hop for artists such as Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, The Notorious B.I.G. and DMX. As a fine artist his work focuses on themes including pop culture, brand identity, cultural, and community issues. Adams’ work has been exhibited at The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, MoMA, Temple University and MoCA Los Angeles. He recently collaborated with IDEO, Apple, Levi’s, Foot Locker, Converse, Pabst Blue Ribbon, YouTube, and Google.
WCC will host a private event, Cey + Friends, on June 18 – invite included with pre-order – and a public print release party on June 19th from 4-6pm with an artist talk by Cey Adams at 4:30pm. Prints will be available for pre-order beginning May 28. Three images will be released in two different formats, silkscreen on canvas (edition of 18) and silkscreen on 360g Coventry Rag paper (edition of 17). Only 14 of the editions will be released initially. Collectors who pre-order have the opportunity to pick their number from the edition and will receive an exclusive invite to a private event with Cey Adams in the gallery. Adams’ work is currently on view in WCC’s current show, including a 16 foot mixed media American flag on panel.
Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday from 10-6 and Sundays from 12-6. For more information on West Chelsea Contemporary, the Cey Adams prints release, and Icons & Vandals, please visit wcc.art and follow the gallery on Instagram @wcc.art and Facebook @wcc.gallery. “
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