"Jerrell Gibbs: No Solace in the Shade" surveys the first decade of contemporary Baltimore artist Jerrell Gibbs’s (b. 1988) career and marks his first one-person Museum exhibition. A painter with astonishing creativity, Gibbs’s dynamic, large-scale figurative paintings explore facets of Black life, including family, friends, and community. His highly personal approach creates a narrative that centers everyday moments in Black life, representations of which have been excluded from art history until recent decades. Throughout his body of work, Gibbs transforms scenes of ordinary life into monumental moments while exploring themes of identity, reflection, and belonging.
Across his career, Gibbs has challenged the near invisibility of Black life in American art. He does so by celebrating identity and culture with profound compassion and insight, often weaving in elements of his own upbringing. Several works featured in the exhibition represent people from his own life. Old family photographs are also an inspiration in his creative process, prompting Gibbs to explore questions of identity and the passage of time. Gibbs conveys the joy, liveliness, and contemplation of Black life in positive representations. Shifting away from menacing racial stereotypes present in previous depictions of Black life in art (particularly images of Black men), Gibbs’ paintings show Black people living, not just surviving.
This exhibition is guest curated by Angela N. Carroll and includes thirty-four works drawn from both museum and private collections throughout the United States, including a major painting recently acquired by Brandywine. It is accompanied by a 160-page scholarly catalogue co-published by Brandywine and Rizzoli Electa. The first monographic treatment of Gibbs’s work, the publication features an essay by Carroll; a timely conversation between Gibbs and Jessica Bell Brown, Executive Director at the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University, about his process, style, and technique; a discussion between Gibbs and Larry Ossei-Mensah, curator and cultural critic, about cultural references and inspirations; a long-form lyrical poem in response to “The Notes Series: Salvador Portraits” by filmmaker and poet NIA JUNE; and a photographic documentation of Gibbs’s artistic process by Washington DC-based photographer Kelvin Bulluck.
Exhibition-related Programs and Events:
Free First Sunday for Families
October 5, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Along with free admission and creative art activities, enjoy performances by West Powelton’s Step Team and Drum Line.
Free First Sunday: Community Conversation
October 5, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
After exploring the galleries, share your thoughts and perspectives in a facilitated community discussion about what it means to be an American artist.
Children’s Read-Aloud Tour
October 9, 10:30 am–11:30 a.m.
Young children and their grown-ups will listen to the story Layla’s Happiness by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie followed by an interactive tour of Jerrell Gibbs: No Solace in the Shade. The program will also include a fun craft to make and take home.
Stroller Tour
October 10, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Enjoy a relaxed and guided tour designed especially for adults accompanied by babies featuring the Jerrell Gibbs: No Solace in the Shade exhibition.
Art Chats: No Solace in the Shade
Wednesdays, October 15, 22, and 29, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fridays, October 17, 24, and 31, 1–2 p.m.
Join a lively, facilitated art discussion with a close look at Jerrell Gibbs’s paintings.
Free First Sunday: Community Conversation
November 2, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Enjoy free, all-day Museum admission. After exploring the galleries, share your thoughts and perspectives in a facilitated community discussion about how to build tolerance through conversation.
Artist Talk & Book Signing: Jerrell Gibbs
November 6, 2–4 p.m.
In conversation with Brandywine’s Associate Curator Kerry Bickford, Jerrell Gibbs will reflect on his artistic practice and developing this exhibition. There will be a catalogue book signing afterwards.
Creative Escape: Layered Histories
November 13, 5:30–8 p.m.
A social evening workshop led by artist Kara Mshinda exploring the intersections of photography and collage art.
Art Chats: No Solace in the Shade
Wednesdays, November 5, 12, and 19, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fridays, November 7, 14, and 21, 1–2 p.m.
Join a lively, facilitated art discussion with a close look at Jerrell Gibbs’s paintings.
Art Chats: No Solace in the Shade
Wednesdays, December 3 and 10 from, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fridays, December 5 and 12, 1–2 p.m.
Join a lively, facilitated art discussion with a close look at Jerrell Gibbs’s paintings.
Stories in Focus: A Photo-Inspired Journey
January 3 & 10, 1–3 p.m.
Guided by award-winning storyteller TAHIRA, this two-part workshop series will use a unique blend of storytelling, music, and photography to reflect on memory and identity.
Art Chats: No Solace in the Shade
Wednesdays, January 14 and 28, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Fridays, January 16 and 30, 1–2 p.m.
Join a lively, facilitated art discussion with a close look at Jerrell Gibbs’s paintings.
Portrait Watercolor Workshop with Vessna Scheff
January 17, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Explore watercolor techniques with artist Vessna Scheff, focusing on elements of portraiture.
Free First Sunday for Families
February 1, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Along with free admission, enjoy a morning of creative art activities and lively entertainment.
Free First Sunday: Community Conversation
February 1, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
After exploring the galleries, share your thoughts and perspectives in a facilitated community discussion about how Black history happens daily.
Special Weekend Children’s Read-Aloud Tour
February 7, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Young children and their grown-ups will listen to the story I Got the Rhythm by Connie Schofield-Morrison followed by an interactive tour of Jerrell Gibbs: No Solace in the Shade. The program will also include a fun craft to make and take home.
Children’s Read-Aloud Tour
February 19, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Young children and their grown-ups will listen to the story Green on Green by Dianne White followed by an interactive tour of Jerrell Gibbs: No Solace in the Shade. The program will also include a fun craft to make and take home.
Poetry and Film Night with NIA JUNE
February 21, 5–8 p.m.
A curated evening of poetry readings and short film screenings by NIA JUNE.
Art Chats: No Solace in the Shade
Wednesdays, February 4, 11, 18, and 25, 11 am–12 p.m.
Fridays, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 1–2 p.m.
Join a lively, facilitated art discussion with a close look at Jerrell Gibbs’s paintings.
Free First Sunday for Families
March 1, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Along with free admission and a variety of crafts to make, enjoy high-energy, interactive African and African-American stories in a program of “Folktale Fun” presented by master storyteller TAHIRA.
Free First Sunday: Community Conversation
March 1, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
After exploring the galleries, share your thoughts and perspectives in a facilitated community discussion about Black women and curatorial excellence.
Major support for Jerrell Gibbs: No Solace in the Shade is provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage
Additional support is provided by the William Penn Foundation, PNC Arts Alive, Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown, and the National Endowment for the Arts
