Rapper and mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs just set a high bar. On May 16, it was reported that the rapper and entrepreneur purchased a painting for $21.1 million.
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The painting, made by Kerry James Marshall is said to be the most paid for art work produced by a living African-American artist.
The painting was sold by Chicago’s Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority on May 16. The auction was held at the renowned Sotheby’s in New York.
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The artwork that was sold is titled “Past Times.” It depicts a scene of African-Americans engaging in activities of leisure and enjoyment.
Marshall, a native of Birmingham, Alabama is known for large paintings and sculptures that express the themes such as Africa-American life, the effects of civil rights, history, race relations and pop culture on blacks.
His creations also exhibit the effects of western beauty standards on African-American women; Marshall dares to question the status quo – even using his own likeness wearing a wig and lipstick to illustrate his objective.
Marshall was raised in South Central, Los Angeles then he moved to Chicago, Illinois. He is a 1978 graduate of Otis College of Art and Design. He taught at the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois in Chicago. His work has been featured at the University of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Honolulu Museum of Art and Miami Art Museum to list a few.
Marshall was bestowed with a MacArthur Foundation grant in 1997.
Marshall’s newest creation, a mural called “RUSH MORE” is being shown at the Chicago Cultural Center. It depicts the faces of 20 black women carved into trees. Gwendolyn Brooks and Oprah are featured.
