Jeremy Okai Davis's Portraits of Black Performance
Briefly

Davis's friend shouted "thick gravy" during basketball games, alluding to a 1990 movie line that's become a cultural reference lost in transmission, showcasing cultural mutations.
Davis's work reflects generational 'games of telephone' that shape cultural references, illustrating how collective memory transforms original messages into something entirely new.
His painting 'Tareyton (Dick Gregory)' connects the comedian's persona with cultural symbols, indicating how performance serves as a nuanced medium in Black culture.
In his exhibition, Davis explores how performance functions in Black culture, acting as a powerful tool for both expressions of identity and societal critique.
Read at Portland Monthly
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