Coming Back Together and celebrating Black excellence through art

This weekend, the campus community commemorated Coming Back Together 2021 with the theme of “Celebrating 151 Years of Black and Latino/a Excellence at SU.” The Community Folk Art Center’s  “Capturing the Essence of Beauty and Strength” exhibition featuring the artwork of Keith Brown and the “Alumni Mural Project” by London Ladd.

Brown graduated from Syracuse University undergrad in 1982 and is currently the executive vice president of content for Firelight Films. He returned to art three years ago, inspired by his 8-year-old daughter who challenged him to pick up the paintbrush again. His artwork is influenced by his work as a journalist, his travels in Africa, his experiences as a father and a Black man in America.

Brown showcases beauty and strength through his acrylic portraiture. Each figure connects with the viewer, expressing power, wisdom and strength through their gaze. Brown’s style is vibrant. Quick brushstrokes add texture and dimension to his works. His dark colors are rich, making his vibrant pops of color stand out on his dynamic figures.

The atmosphere in the gallery is one of calm and strength. R&B and soul music playing adds to the experience of the art. Dr. Tanisha Jackson writes in her curator’s statement how Brown’s work uses specific artistic expression.

“Black brotherhood, scenic travel destinations, and the celebration of Black femininity are a few notable motifs in Brown’s portraits that collectively demand our respect and admiration,” she writes. “The women and men in his portraits call for us to see them.”