RECEPTION: FRIDAY, January 10, FROM 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Welcome and artist introductions at 6:00 pm

Background: Portraits of Early Oregon Black Pioneers

In 2022 we commissioned Jeremy to paint a series of portraits as part of our broader effort to reinvent and reimagine the Bush House Museum. As curators of this historic site, we are acutely aware of the harm Asahel Bush inflicted on people of color in our state. We are also aware that people of color are painfully underrepresented in most permanent collections, including ours.

Our invitation to Jeremy was simple: tell the story of early Black pioneers whose contributions to Oregon history have long been overlooked. For this next installment of portraits, Jeremy chose two major figures – Letitia Carson (1815-1888) and Thomas C. King (1847-1904).

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Jeremy Okai Davis was born and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. He later received a BFA in painting from the University of North Carolina (Charlotte, NC). Davis relocated to Portland, OR in 2007 where he has continued his studio practice in addition to working as a graphic designer and illustrator. His work has been shown nationally at the Studio Museum of Harlem in New York, THIS Los Angeles, Wa Na Wari in Seattle, and The Rotating Art Program at Portland International Airport. Elizabeth Leach Gallery began representing Jeremy Okai Davis in 2019.