Public Art Project “Quilt Wall” On View April 2024
To celebrate “Quilt Week” during the month of April, the entire exterior wall of A.I.R. Studio Paducah will be will be covered by a silver architectural quilt designed by Alonzo Davis with studio assistants Andrea Portillo and Zoma Wallace. Using a mix materials, the quilt-patterned work of art will be installed in the in the sculpture garden. Students from Paducah Tilghman High School and members of the public will be invited to assist with the installation.
Location: A.I.R. Studio Paducah, 621 Madison St., Paducah, KY, 42001
2021 Mural Restoration|Homage to John Outterbridge
Watts Towers Arts Center | Los Angeles, California
You may have glimpsed the mural, “Homage to John Otterbridge” on a visit to the Watts Tower Arts Center in South Central Los Angeles or seen images of the work in the publication “Street Gallery”, R Dunitz or online @artsandculture.google.com
Unveiled in 1980 in tribute to John Outterbridge, beloved sculptor, educator, activist and inimitable director of Watts Towers Arts Center, the mural by Alonzo Davis is way overdue for restoration. Once vibrant colors, adinkra symbols and playfully cosmic spirit of the artwork are today only a shadow of the original makes it most fitting that the mural be restored, especially in light of the recent loss of John Outterbridge to everyone who knew him, his community, The Watts Towers Arts Center, the City of Los Angles, and the art world at large.
The project is finished. Thank you to all of our contributors. Visit the new Mural Restoration 2021 page to see the video.
“Let Us Tie Down the Loose Ends” one of John Outterbridge’s early works is we feel an apt metaphor for the envisioned restoration. Scheduled to get underway July 2021 with Los Angeles muralist, Michael Massenburg, at the helm, we need to raise $10,000 to realize the project. With thanks to our fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas of New York, your donation in support of the restoration project is 100% tax deductible.
A tax deductible donation can be made online at: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/mural-restoration-at-the-watts-towers-arts-center or by check to: Alonzo Davis/mural (Donation by check is not tax deductible) c/o Blue Door Studios, 3704 Otis St. ( Rear), Mount Rainier, MD 20712
To learn more about John Outterbridge ‘google’: John Outterbridge Artforum: artNews; Artsy and The New York Times, January 2, 2021
For more information about the artists: michaelmassenburg.com, alonzodavisstudios.com and wattstowers.org
Video and Performance Projects
To Tell the Truth: A Video Performance
Ronya-Lee | Creative Director, Performer, Choerographer, Costumes
Alonzo Davis | Artist, Pyramidal Series
Lorenzo Wilkins | Videographer
Kendrick Lamer | Music DNA
NAVIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE II
Navigating Climate Change is a short video call-to-action underscoring the power of art and artists in the environmental cause. I was pleased to work with video artist and editor Tim McLoraine to complete this component of the project.
NAVIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE I
Navigating Climate Change I was released as a way to use the power of art and image to bring attention to the urgency of the climate crisis. It was released in conjunction with Alonzo’s exhibition of the larger format Navigating Climate Change series at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier, Maryland.
My goal is not to preach to the converted but to help a wider audience comprehend the climate crisis
- Alonzo Davis
Social JusticE Project
REFLECTION ON CURRENT SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES
By Alonzo Davis with studio assistants Kayla Beyer, Aaron Cooper, Bob Donahue, Adalberto Garcia, Kay Lindsey & Tsedaye Makonnen.
This series uses ballistic vests with mixed media as the platform for addressing current social justice issues.
The vests have been exhibited and often worn by performance artists in venues around the USA from to 2017-19.
For inquiries contact Alonzo Davis at artistalonzo@gmail.com
The project is funded by the Puffin Foundation, AIM Hatch Fund, The Prince George’s County, Maryland Arts and Humanities Council and private citizens.
PERFORMANCE, "LIGHT BRINGERS: A CAROLING EMERGENCY CHORAL RESPONSE TEAM" AT LIGHT CITY FESTIVAL- BALTIMORE, MD// APRIL 2018
Megan Livingston and the Light Bringers Choir bring awareness to the slave trade that took place in Baltimore and the Inner Harbor in the past ( Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun) April 2018
Click the photos to enlarge.
Social Justice Performance: Vests in the Park Alonzo Davis Artists - Homage to Casper Banjo
Homage to Casper Banjo, Oakland, California.
Social Justice Performance with Megan Livingston & Vests by Alonzo Davis in Honor of Casper Banjo. Latham Square, Oakland, CA. Exhibit on display at Joyce Gordan Gallery, Oakland, CA.