By Michaiah Varnes //
A local artist, joined by an area band, presented his paintings to the Frederick community in a pop-up art show on the Hood campus on Feb. 28.
The artist, Taurean Washington, who graduated from Hood College in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in studio art, showcased his work to more than two dozen community members.
The show presented 11 paintings, each having its own meaning and story behind it. “The inspiration behind these paintings is actually a new path for me as an artist toggling with specific racial identifiers and inversing roles using popular figures or iconic cultural events,” Washington said.
Bukky Ossai, a former humanities graduate student, said she came to the event to support her department and classmate. “I’m very happy with how it turned out,” she said.
The paintings featured portraits of popular figures, including Elon Musk, Candace Owens and Donald Trump.
“I feel I have an obligation to mine the past in order to amend the present and gear us as a people to a more diverse and inclusive future,” Washington said.
Washington said he has been inspired by artist Jean Michel Basquiat and painter Robert Colescott. He also acknowledged his middle school teacher, Myrna Day, who encouraged him to be creative. “She never stopped believing in me,” he said. “I was able to get extra credit as an incentive,” he said. “I still keep in touch with her today.”
Washington’s connection with Hood College continues to grow as he recently established a convocation prize named the Taurean Washington Investment in Artistic Excellence Award. This year will be the second release of the award.
Washington will return to Hood on April 17 when he will talk about his new book called “Heroes of Ministry.” The event will be 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the library.
For more information on upcoming events, follow Washington on Instagram at @taureanwashingtonartist
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