“Natural Sovereignty” gives classical portraiture an unexpected twist. Oil, acrylic and silk fabric, suede, flocking on canvas, charcoal on paper, and deconstructed furniture are all parts of David Shrobe’s work, often mounted on wood tabletops, ornate foil frames, or the reverse side of found mirrors. His materials hold historical and cultural significance, and his subjects—found in family members, strangers on the streets of his neighborhood in Harlem, art historical references, literary sources, as well as online archives—are vibrant, colorful and multilayered, much like the work itself.
Essentially a deep dive into family life, heritage and identity among BIPOC communities, the exhibition brings race, memory and materiality together—a nudge to stop, think and consider the rich tapestry of experiences that inform our contemporary understanding of Blackness. Shrobe uses his own family photos as a departure point. His work involves intricate assemblage, collage, drawing and painting, and his figures, found in familiar domestic settings like homes and gardens or in casual gatherings with friends, straddle the boundary between the real and the fantastical, navigating the delicate balance between the tangible and the imagined. Vivid colors, swirling backgrounds, and a diverse combination of patterns and textures infuse his work with deep cultural resonance, celebrating the resilience and vitality inherent in BIPOC communities.
