SECRET ORIGINS: Voices of the Illustration Nation

Join us for Secret Origins: Voices of the Illustration Nation, an intimate closing event and artist conversation marking the final weekend of the Illustration Nation exhibition at Ultra Silk Gallery. This special gathering brings the spotlight back to the visionary illustrators—Oludare Oredipe, Shawn Alleyne (Pyroglyphics), Aremo Massa*, William Macey (Madd Mace), and David White—as they reflect on their creative journeys, personal mythologies, and the cultural forces that shaped their paths into comics, illustration, and speculative storytelling.

This isn't your typical artist talk.

Inspired by the cipher—a sacred circle of sharing in hip hop and street culture—audience and artists will gather in a communal format that encourages dialogue, storytelling, and mutual inspiration. Discover the "secret origins" of each artist: how they began, what drives them, and how their work connects to movements like Afrofuturism, anime, graffiti, hip hop, and diasporic expression.

Expect:

• A live artist panel sharing stories, process, and passion

• Interactive demos…