Open Wednesday - Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM*
Gallery wrapped Canvas
36” x 36” each 36” x 64” in total Acrylic and Spray Enamel
For many, the words ‘mental health’ often have a negative connotation. However, as I reflect on mental awareness from past to present, there’s a calming notion as those that struggle often are able to find peace on the other side of the darkness. The piece I created reflects a cycle of mental thought from calm to chaos and back. For some, this can be a brief, daily struggle. For others, the struggle can sometimes be far more extended, but in one way or another we all struggle.
Created on two gallery wrapped canvases each piece can stand on its on but together they create a powerful work of art. Adam is the younger version, more rooted in nature and not yet tainted by the world. Atom, however, is older, wiser and more advanced. He is weathered and lost.
As newborns, black and white are the only distinguishable colors we can see. I imagine simple thoughts to be the same way. Patterns are also recognized before color. This piece takes those concepts and explores early thought and then expands on that by exploding with color everywhere as thoughts become more complex and deeper. Yet, no matter the age, both pieces connect in that the cyclical nature of thought never changes.
Ron Stokes is a Native of Washington DC. He grew up largely in the Bay Area of California, but has lived in Richmond, VA for the past 10 years. He is a self-taught street artist that merged his talents with abstract art and developed a unique style of storytelling through color and pattern. The beauty of abstract work is about finding what speaks to you in the painting. He creates each piece based on emotion, thought, and what inspires him in the moment. He speaks through color and imagery rather than words bringing to life stories of culture, history and the world around him. He has worked on both large scale and small scale projects in many cities while giving back to charities and foundations. He sees his artistry as the bridge that connects art to the city.
The Art Seen was founded and created to provide opportunities for minority artists. We believe in curating creative Art Experiences in traditional and non-traditional spaces. As the official art curator at the Urban Hang Suite and The Basement, in Richmond, VA we offer the local community and all customers the opportunity to see unique art from our featured artists that can be purchased. We also host various events like Art Walks, Gallery Houses and Exhibits with local partners that has allowed the Richmond area to have a front row seat to some amazing artists, their creativity, personal stories and so much more.
The vision of The Art Seen came from Ron’s personal experience of trying to find opportunities that will allow his art to be seen by the masses. The birth of The Art Seen, is the bridge that is connecting new and established minority artists with various audiences, while elevating them in their creative and artistic journeys.
