Badu-ism/ 20 Years of Paint Culture Portrait Symbolism Overview

BADU-ISM / 20 YEARS OF PAINT Culture Portrait | Back Story + Symbolism

A tribute to Erykah Badu

Green wall with Yellow Painting of Queen over a brown leather couch.

THE BACK STORY

Erykah Badu was my absolute favorite music artist. I was a freshman in college in New York City. I was bright eyed and open to life!

The beginning: 1997

I laid down the first layer of this painting in 1997 (above) as my visual response to a painting class assignment. It was not called a Culture Portrait then; (that wouldn't happen for another 20 years) but there were the sparkles of something special there. Tribal lines on her body, the swirling figures in the background, cheap paint.

Then for almost 17 years, this painting traveled back to Philadelphia and lived in a closet. It wasn't until 2015 that I started pulling her out and painting on her. An hour or two here; a half-a-day there...

Then for 17 years, this painting lived in a closet. It wasn't until 2015 that she was pulled out and worked on. An hour or two here; a half-a-day there... by 2017 something special started happening. The end product... "Badu-ism/ 20 Years of Paint"

THE SYMBOLISM

Detail of Queen painting: Crown floating on yellow background with green leaves at bottom

Erykah Badu's neo-soul sounds are ethereal, other-worldly. The sunburst on her forehead represents this focus on the invisible.

Detail of Queen painting: red moon on black background

In 1997, I was gifted a deck of Dream Analysis Cards. One of them was a dreamy, spirit-like figure. I chose to include these figures in "Badu-ism" to reflect Erykah's focus on spirituality.

Detail of Queen painting: butterfly wing in hair with yellow background

When I think of Erykah, I think of nature; something and someone natural, real.

Detail of Queen painting: gold elephant with trunk turned up with leaves around its head

Every Culture Portrait includes a water element. A bustling wave symbolizes Erykah's creativity.

Detail of Queen painting: blue sky with clouds with a skylines made of flames

Outer space represents dreams, ideas and creativity that comes from the Universe, God, Spirit.

Detail of Queen painting: cherry blossom plan with robotic components on a yellow background

Detail of Queen painting:bright yellow sin on the left with waterfall on right. Purple flower.

The Pan-African and American flag are incorporated into the painting to reflect Erykah's heritage, her focus on culture and the world that she creates.