“The Cleopatre piece is a spin on classic 60s movies posters but showing her in true colors she was a Black Queen from Africa”
Maurice James Jr. is a self taught Contemporary Artist and Graphic Designer. Born in Philadelphia, PA, Maurice now lives and works in Washington, DC which has been his greatest source of inspiration as an artist.
Growing up as a young man in the Wynnefield section of West Philadelphia, he collected comic books, baseball cards and watched films that while considered classics, did not prominently feature Black People in the heroic role.
Using digital graphics and merging genres that have not traditionally been combined to recreate well known pop-culture moments, Maurice’s art answers questions such as “How could Black folklore integrate into comic book culture?”, or “What if Black artistic genius was hailed in the light of deity?”. His work strives to create a glimpse of a reality in which Black People and Black Culture are one with Pop Culture.
Cleopatre / Spartacus by Maurice James Jr.
- 2021 -
Maurice James Jr
Cold Press Archival Paper
25.5x37.5 (Framed)
Limited Edition
"BLACK GOLD" Exhibit features the work of Maurice which seeks to intertwine iconic American pop culture references with powerful black images to positively promote Black Love, Black Beauty and Black Power. Maurice’s work focuses on portraying the splendor and strength of Black People as well as embodying the importance of Black representation in mainstream pop culture.