Reflections on My First International Exhibition…
This time last year, I had successfully completed and debuted a new body of work at Angels and Muse, a multipurpose exhibition and residency space in Lagos, Nigeria. This opportunity was made possible by Lauren Tate Baeza, curator of African Art at the High Museum and creator of the Lagos-Atlanta Arts Exchange. I was chosen from a short list of folks she had in mind to be a part of foreign exchange concept, that had never been done before in the history of Lagos and Atlanta’s sister city relationship. I also learned that during the opening week of my exhibition, the United States was about to begin its descent into the deepest pits of hell, which unfortunately is just how revolutions begin.
Anyhoo this trip was the launch point for a concept I dreamt up called “GITYUSUMPROTECTION” which would begin my study of protection modalities that we as a civilization had either abandoned, been separated from or were just misinformed about. My thought was that even though here in America we walk around as if we have everything we need to keep ourselves safe, be it firearms, contracts, the homes we live in, job security, etc, we really are not protected at all and the time had come for us to educate ourselves on how to actually fortify ourselves and those we care about. That first week of November in Lagos, riding around in an Uber, there was a talk radio station taking phone calls and quite a few men called in who were happy to hear the results of our election; they like many misinformed people thought somehow Kamala Harris losing would equate to prosperity for them. I wonder what the radio sounds like this week…
My goal upon returning was to begin the process of finishing a film about this residency trip I had written a script for, detailing the process of making that exhibition happen in 3 weeks and sharing the stories of people I had met. Throughout this year, I’ve felt like a slacker because it’s been a lot harder to complete that mission than I hoped, but at this point with all the shit going on in the world, I really don’t think anyone is holding it against me. Shout out to all those who have been able to stay superhuman and maintain consistency in your art and business practices, people need to clap for you every day. In acknowledging my bittersweet failure to deliver, I accepted that sometimes we really do need the time as artists to fully sit with our experiences before we proceed to continue feeding the machine. I’m very fortunate that I get the opportunity to process what to do next, to set up my opportunities properly and to make the best work possible. The truth is, all our next moves must continue to be our best moves. There is no time for wasted, poorly thought-out efforts, especially for the place our art will hold in history at this present time.
My new goal still involves the same components; a film about my time in Lagos and an exhibition stateside that continues the conversation I began having in Lagos. In fact, I can’t act like this year has been a failure when I was able to execute another idea that was ruminating in my mind for a few seasons. My installation REVIVAL became a precursor to the show that I want to do here in Atlanta, featuring a montage of images from my travels to The Continent. While in conversation with Victor Ehikamenor, my gracious host and founder of Angels and Muse, he told me to consider the open space that exists in video art and installation, to really begin exploring the convergence of all the mediums that I have been mastering over the years. With that advice ringing loudly in my mind, I was able to manifest one of the most impactful installations at Atlanta Art Fair this year and will always be very proud of myself for making that moment happen. Perhaps things merely went exactly as planned by the divine powers that be and my hope is that those divine plans will continue to unfold in 2026. As I’ve been sitting with my work and edifying my personal life a new plan has emerged, one that involves multiple solo exhibitions leading up to the stateside debut of GITYUSUMPROTECTION. With these shows I intend to delve deeper into the journey that has brought me to and all up through Atlanta, Lagos and back. I view it all as an emancipation of my archive and the thoughts I have been carrying for nearly 20 years I have been an artist. Aa the final months of this year wind down, I begin my shift from sitting with this work to the creation of many new things I am still very excited to share in 2026….
Disturbing tha Peace for 25 Years
The foundation of my lens-based art is built on doing “BTS” or Behind the Scenes camera work, which I began doing in 2007. At the time I didn’t have a grandiose artistic vision or voice that I was aware of, but I did know I was creatively capable and able to follow instructions. This journey began with a simple instruction from Big Jeff Dixon, co-manager of Ludacris from 2000 til this day; he said, “learn all this camera shit, from these niggas, so we can start our own shit!”
So, learn from these niggas I did which turned out to be the quickest and most lucrative film school I could have gone to; not just because every artist budget has a line item for BTS, but because you get to learn how every pro on the spectrum does their work. Whether it be music videos, photo shoots, concerts, movies, anything that an artist like Ludacris is called to do, I got to watch how EVERYBODY on that set did their job and within 3 years that crash course made me feel confident enough to go out on my own and start making films. I have made dozens of films since 2007, but even more so I blossomed into the artist I didn’t know I was making curating art shows, doing my own art shows, photography commissions and in the past few years facilitating opportunities for other developing artists to show their work by starting a film festival called AUDIO VIDEO FEST that just had its second successful run earlier in October. I’ve written a book about being an artist and I have apprenticed artists to help them bring their visions to life, all because I took the time to observe what was going on behind the scenes.
When I saw the fliers for One Music Fest and Ludacris as headliner for his 25th Anniversary, I knew I had to hop back Behind the Scenes one more time in a role that helped me develop the photographic eye that has made my visions what you see today. Concert photography is NOT easy, every moment is fleeting and there are so many to record at a festival like OMF. These days EVERYBODY got a camera so I didn’t have to do as much running from the pit to backstage as I used to ( sometimes I would just jump off stage) in fact I relished being able to capture those moments that no one else would see because when the larger story is retold, maybe some of these images can help fill in the blanks, but more than that also help acknowledge the people who make all this shit come together. By the time the fire and smoke start shooting out the stage all people really see is Ludacris, but even he would want to take the time if he could, to acknowledge every single person that helped him deliver one of the best shows he has ever done in his life! Truly blessed to be part of this legacy and to witness the greatness that has no doubt rubbed off on me in a major way. After 25 years (nearly 20 for me personally) “WE STILL JUST GETTING STARTED”!
FIVE WAYS ART CAN MAKE YOU A BETTER PERSON.
Emphasis on CAN, you must still apply effort effectively, intentionally and repeatedly!
ART STROLL AUGUST
An art stroll, also known as an art walk, is a community event where artists and businesses collaborate to showcase art in various locations within a specific area, often within a walkable district. These events typically involve artists displaying their work in local galleries, businesses, and sometimes even public spaces, encouraging people to stroll through the area, discover new art, and support local creatives.
Every second Tuesday galleries open up their doors as people walk thru their local art district to see what’s new in the Historic arts district of Castleberry Hill. Peep this candid look at the most recent art stroll featuring the work of over 15 artists spread across three galleries. I’ll be doing a more nuanced video this week and delivering that this weekend giving more insight on the artists and the work they make.
ARTSKOOL episode 001
After being selected from a short list of Atlanta artists to be apart of the inaugural Lagos Atlanta Arts Exchange, I noticed that two different artists; Victor Ehikamenor and Miya Bailey are funding community art spaces the same way; with money directly from their art sales.
These two artists both believe in the value of building communities from the ground up and providing opportunities for others to walk in the door they left open. As artists, many of us who are self taught are first sponsored by our art. If we can figure out who our collectors our, they become partners in building whatever world we desire. My world includes making independent films, developing programming and curriculum and now traveling back home to do art exhibitions in three weeks utilizing an interdisciplinary mixed media style I've developed across music, art and film.
Shot on location in Lagos and Atlanta by Artemus Jenkins
music by Marcus Green aka Silk tha Chakras
DOCUMENTARIANS NEED TO WORLD BUILD TOO...
“FREE WIFI”
2021
OIL STICK, CRAYON AND SHARPIE, TAPE ON BOARD
My first artist residency was for two years, starting in 2020. By 2021 I was invited to participate in a group exhibition called “Virtual Remains” curated by TK Smith. The title of my installation was “FREE WIFI”. I have a number of stories about the word WIFI, but first lets start with pronounciation which is (wee-fee) .
WIFI was someone who saw a way out into the world and dedicated his life to travel and film. At the time of his death his only belongings were in a trunk, including a bunch of old hard drives. There were no photos of WIFI, so this drawing was created to represent his spirit at his homegoing ceremony. Everything had gone digital during that time, even the funerals; so with this installation I was challenged to examine the effectiveness of sharing and preserving memories and emotions thru digital means…
I could go on, but I just wanted to introduce you to this character’s first appearance in any of my work.
WIFI URN
2021
sculpture by Ellex Swavoni
ceramic, plywood stand and fabric
“VIRTUAL REMAINS” INSTALLATION during ATLANTA BIENNIALE at ATLANTA CONTEMPORARY
At CITY OF INK 18TH ANNIVERSARY ART EXHIBIT, Feb 2025
“ A LIL FREE WIFI”
2025
oil stick, various papers, acrylic on wood
#3 IN KID ON BIGWHEEL SERIES
sketch
HOW TO BE A DOPE ARTIST COMING IN APRIL, I CAN CONFIRM THAT PEOPLE STILL BUY BOOK$
#2 IN KID ON BIGWHEEL SERIES SOLD BEFORE THE SHOW
#1 IN KID ON BIGWHEEL SERIES ALSO SOLD BEFORE THE SHOW
“MMM CHECK PLEEEASE”
New Year, Same Me...a lil better tho
2024 was all about fortification.
2025 is the time we elevate and evolve from the foundation we created for ourselves—most importantly, with those we love and who love us back.
To elevate, we first must be critical of ourselves and of the communities we build within. These ideas inspired my second solo exhibition, “They Should Have Never Gave You Niggas Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice,” which opened in June 2024 in Atlanta, GA, at Hidden Gallery 333.
An area I’ve always critiqued about myself is how little I share my art, despite having so much to offer in so many ways. For over 15 years, I’ve been building an archive of images featuring the world around me,but who would ever know until I show?
Most of this avoidance has been based on the fact that the nigganet (a word I just made up for the internet) just doesn’t respect intellectual property rights. The rest comes from my own doubts and insecurities, which I gracefully work through in private : )
The plan has always been to one day create mixed-media works from all these damn terabytes, unified by some profound thought.
Recently, I’ve been reminded that plenty of profound thoughts already exist, and it’s best to use those,then you can focus on making dope and profound work.
As the saying goes, “Free your mind, and the rest/yo ass will follow.”
This exhibition was successful not only because I sold art but because it validated every idea I’ve had about how I want to be supported by a community while making it. The people in your life are a direct reflection of where you are in life and the success that awaits you. From the home my family is developing to the studios where I create the work to the gallery where I exhibited, it’s clear to me that people who understand what success really is rub off on you in many ways…and the art reflects that.
I put this exhibition together while bringing a newborn into the world, supporting my beautiful lady in her 4th trimester, and editing a docuseries pilot for a book I wrote about being a better artist and person, all so that whatever happens next in this world, my next moves could be the ABSOLUTE best ones I could make in 2025.
The best way I could describe what Atlanta is to me would be: the perfect foundation for elevation. The city is built on granite, for starters. Even though Atlanta is a lot of imperfect things, you get the most out of it, in my experience, by first getting the most out of yourself.
Thanks for reading, writing is one of the many things I will stop gatekeeping for myself I suppose and continue sharing here. Next up I will be writing more about the home studio and why it’s a crucial and important space to me. This year RESIDENCE is strong on my heart because I’ve benefitted ALOT this pandemic era from having places available to get this art off!
Be sure to visit my store and ARTSY to view and collect works from this series and others in process. Message me for any and all art inquires. PEACE, PEACE YA’LL
Studio Tour with Victor Ehikhamenor
Benin Bronzes, Baldwin and Blackouts…
Part One up on Patreon now!
let the oversharing begin...
WAKING UP IN LAGOS AT ANGELS AND MUSE
From October 7th-November 21st I was in Lagos, Nigeria as a residency fellow for the Inaugural Lagos-Atlanta Art Exchange. While there I put together a solo exhibition of digital collage works created in Lagos, met a bunch of dope people, ate a BUNCH despite what my svelte figure reveals and just learned and experienced more than I can say in words. That’s why I’m creating some places you can see and learn all about what I was doing in Lagos without me telling the stories 80 different times.
Over the coming weeks, I will be posting raw footage timelines as I recap this life changing trip. To learn about Lagos from the perspective of a traveling artist become a free member of my Patreon. This is where you can kinda, sorta edit with me; of course you will have very lil input, but you do get to see this film come together over the next couple months before everyone else does! So if you are in to researching, international travel, photo essays and inside voices, welcome! and tell a friend.
I also have some new artwork in the store to commemorate this launch and provide some highly elevated gifts from abroad in the form of Limited edition prints from the solo exhibit I just completed titled “GITYUSUMPROTECTION”
This week I’ll be dropping another episode of “Special Features” featuring insight on how I approached street photography in Lagos and an interview with founder of Angels and Muse, Victor Ehikhamenor.
The Flyest Digital Journal
Welcome to the digital journal of Artemus Jenkins, experimental ethnographer and internationally recognized contemporary artist. Peruse the journal for international art news and all things fly.