Derrick Adams is a Baltimore-born artist whose critically admired work spans painting, collage, printmaking, sculpture, performance, video, and sound installations.
Adams’ multidisciplinary practice explores the ways in which individuals’ ideals, aspirations, and personae become attached to specific objects, colors, textures, symbols, and ideologies. His work probes the influence of popular culture on the formation of self-image, and the relationship between man and monument as they coexist and embody one another. Adams is also deeply immersed in questions of how African American experiences intersect with art history, American iconography, and consumerism. Most notably in his “Floater” series, he portrays Black Americans at leisure, positing that respite itself is a political act when embraced by Black communities. The radicality of this position has materialized in Adams’ work across his "Deconstruction Worker," "Figure in the Urban Landscape," and "Beauty World" series.
In formal terms, Adams’ practice is rooted in Deconstructivist philosophies related to the fragmentation and manipulation of structure and surface, and the marriage of complex and improbable forms. His tendency to layer, hybridize, and collage not only images and materials, but also different types of sensory experiences, link the artist to an estimable lineage of pioneers ranging from Hannah Höch and Henri Matisse to William H. Johnson and Romare Bearden. In Adams’ art, the process can also be understood as an analog, as he once remarked: “Everything that we are is based on a specific construction.”
Adams received his M.F.A. from Columbia University and B.F.A. from Pratt Institute. He is an alumnus of the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and Marie Walsh Sharpe Foundation’s Studio Program.
Adams is a recipient of a Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Residency (2019), a Gordon Parks Foundation Fellowship (2018), a Studio Museum Joyce Alexander Wein Artist Prize (2016), and a Louis Comfort Tiffany Award (2009). He has been the subject of numerous solo exhibitions, including "Where I’m From — Derrick Adams" (2019) at The Gallery in Baltimore City Hall; "Derrick Adams: Sanctuary" (2018) at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York; and "Derrick Adams: Transmission" (2018) at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver. Adams’ work has been presented in numerous important public exhibitions, including "Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth." (2019) at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati; "PERFORMA" (2015, 2013, and 2005); "The Shadows Took Shape" (2014) and "Radical Presence" (2013–14) at the Studio Museum in Harlem; "The Channel" (2012) at the Brooklyn Academy of Music; "Greater New York" (2005) at MoMA PS1; and "Open House: Working In Brooklyn" (2004) at the Brooklyn Museum.
Adams’ work resides in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and the Birmingham Museum of Art.
Find original Derrick Adams art on 1stDibs.
$6,756Sale Price|20% Off
Derrick Adams We Make The City’s Grid Limited Edition Screenprint
By Derrick Adams
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: We Make The City's Grid Medium: Screenprint on Paper Sheet Size: 13.5" x 31.5" Image Size: 11.5" x 29.5" Year: 2023 Inscription: Signed by the artist Edi...
Screen, Paper
Beauty World: Style Variation 1 (Afro)
By Derrick Adams
Located in London, GB
Derrick Adams Beauty World: Style Variation 1 (Afro), 2020 Signed and dated in pencil Screenprint in colours with acrylic varnish, on paper 68.6 x 50.8 cm 27 x 20 inches One of three...
Screen
$15,000
Party Guest #2 - An original framed print in top condition by Derrick Adams
By Derrick Adams
Located in Indianapolis, IN
Party Guest #2, 2021 Hand signed and dated lower right Screenprint, relief, fabric, collage Size: 24 x 18 in (61 x 45.7 cm) Frame size: 30 x 24 in (76.2 x 61 cm) Edition of 50, this ...
Ebony, Screen
Fringe - Style Variation 5, 2023 Screenprint by Derrick Adams
By Derrick Adams
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Derrick Adams Fringe - Style Variation 5 2023 Screenprint and archival inkjet 27 x 20 in. Edition of 50 Pencil signed and numbered
Inkjet, Screen
Interior Life (Man) by Derrick Adams
By Derrick Adams
Located in New York, NY
Derrick Adams Interior LIfe (Man), 2019 24 x 18 inches Pigment print on Hotpress Published by Eminence Grise Editions Printed by Andre Ribuoli Edition of 75
Digital Pigment
Interior Life (Woman) by Derrick Adams
By Derrick Adams
Located in New York, NY
Derrick Adams Interior Life (Woman), 2019 24 x 18 inches Pigment print on Hotpress Published by Eminence Grise Editions Printed by Andre Ribuoli Edition of 75
Digital Pigment
Queen of Spades Edition B
By Derrick Adams
Located in New York, NY
The Queen of Spades, Holding Court, 2015 Pigment print on Hotpress. Edition B: 15.25 h x 11.5w in (portfolio includes text and two images). Edition of 18. Published by Eminence Gr...
Digital Pigment
Loose Wave - Style Variation 3, 2023 Screenprint by Derrick Adams
By Derrick Adams
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Derrick Adams Loose Wave - Style Variation 3 2023 Screenprint and archival inkjet 27 x 20 in. Edition of 50 Pencil signed and numbered
Archival Ink, Screen
$8,400Sale Price|20% Off
Derrick Adams Holding Court (The Queen of Spades) 2015 Pigment Rare Edition of 8
By Derrick Adams
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Holding Court (The Queen of Spades) Medium: Archival Pigment Print on Hotpress Paper Size: 44" x 33.5" Year: 2015 Inscription: Signed and numbered verso ...
Archival Pigment, Paper
Derrick Adams, We Came to Party and Plan 38 - Limited Edition Plate
By Derrick Adams
Located in Hamburg, DE
Derrick Adams (American, b. 1970) We Came to Party and Plan 38, 2022 Medium: Porcelain plate (fine bone china) Dimensions: 26.7 cm diameter (10 1/2 in) Edition of 250: Printed signat...
Porcelain
$5,592Sale Price|20% Off
Derrick Adams Under the Soft Light Signed 2015 Print Edition of 120
By Derrick Adams
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Under the Soft Light Medium: Giclee Print Image Size: 11" x 8.25" Paper Size: 14" x 11" Year: 2015 Inscription: Signed and Numbered Edition: 92/120 "Und...
Giclée, Paper
Pair: Interior Life (Man) & (Woman) by Derrick Adams
By Derrick Adams
Located in New York, NY
Derrick Adams Interior LIfe (Man) & (Woman), 2019 24 x 18 inches Pigment print on Hotpress Published by Eminence Grise Editions Printed by Andre Ribu...
Digital Pigment
$31,600Sale Price|20% Off
Derrick Adams Mirroring Idealism Wall Relief 2021 Edition of 40
By Derrick Adams
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Mirroring Idealism Medium: Wall Relief of UV Curable Pigment on Mirror Dibond Size: 28 1/4" x 53 5/8" x 3" Edition: 29/40 Publisher: Co-Published by Car...
Mixed Media, Mirror
Beauty World: Style Variation 3 (High Top)
By Derrick Adams
Located in London, GB
Derrick Adams Beauty World: Style Variation 3 (High Top), 2020 Signed and dated in pencil Screenprint in colours with acrylic varnish, on paper 68.6 x 50.8 cm 27 x 20 inches One of t...
Screen
Beauty World: Style Variation 4 (Beard)
By Derrick Adams
Located in London, GB
Derrick Adams Beauty World: Style Variation 4 (Beard), 2020 Signed and dated in pencil Screenprint in colours with acrylic varnish, on paper 68.6 x 50.8 cm 27 x 20 inches One of thre...
Screen
$8,000Sale Price|20% Off
Good Luck Charm
By Derrick Adams
Located in Calabasas, CA
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Good Luck Charm Year: 2021 Medium: Polyurethane and mixed media with original wooden case Dimensions: 6 3/10 × 11 1/50 × 6 3/10 in (16 × 28 × 16 cm) Edi...
Mixed Media
Beauty World: Style Variation 2 (Waves)
By Derrick Adams
Located in London, GB
Derrick Adams Beauty World: Style Variation 2 (Waves), 2020 Signed and dated in pencil Screenprint in colours with acrylic varnish, on paper 68.6 x 50.8 cm 27 x 20 inches One of thre...
Screen
Side Part - Style Variation 4, 2023 Screenprint by Derrick Adams
By Derrick Adams
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Derrick Adams Side Part - Style Variation 4 2023 Screenprint and archival inkjet 27 x 20 in. Edition of 50 Pencil signed and numbered
Inkjet, Screen
Space Buns - Style Variation 2, 2023 Screenprint by Derrick Adams
By Derrick Adams
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Derrick Adams Space Buns - Style Variation 2 2023 Screenprint and archival inkjet 27 x 20 in. Edition of 50 Pencil signed and numbered
Archival Ink, Screen
Pixie - Style Variation 1, 2023, Screenprint by Derrick Adams
By Derrick Adams
Located in Miami, FL
TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Derrick Adams Pixie - Style Variation 1 2023 Screenprint and archival inkjet 27 x 20 in. Edition of 50 Pencil signed and numbered
Archival Ink, Screen
$900
H 18 in W 42 in
Saint-Tropez, France /// Contemporary Pop Art Beach Ocean Shore Figurative Print
By Robin Shepherd
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Robin Shepherd (English-American, Active: Late 20th Century) Title: "Saint-Tropez, France" *Signed by Shepherd in pencil lower right Year: 1991 Medium: Original Screenprint on Stonehenge paper Limited edition: 150, (exact number may differ from photos) Printer: possibly the artist Shepherd himself, Jacksonville, FL Publisher: the artist Shepherd himself and The Collector's Exchange, Jacksonville, FL (present day Graves International Art...
Screen
$2,395
H 21.5 in W 16.75 in
Original Connor Brothers, Signed, Framed, 2020, Those Who Say It Cannot Be ...
By The Connor Brothers
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: The Connor Brothers Title: Those Who Say It Cannot Be Done Medium: Giclee print with silkscreen varnish Year: 2020 Edition: 19/50 Sheet Size: 16 1/2" x 11 1/2" Frame Size: 21...
Varnish, Giclée, Screen
$700
H 21 in W 21 in
Running the Dog /// Contemporary Pop Art Screenprint Lady Animal Pet Walk Funny
By Dan May
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Dan May (American, 1955-) Title: "Running the Dog" *Signed and numbered by May in pencil lower left Year: 1984 Medium: Original Screenprint on unbranded white wove paper Limited edition: 151/175 Printer: the artist May himself, Oakland, CA Publisher: the artist May himself, Oakland, CA Sheet size: 21" x 21" Image size: 12.88" x 15.13" Condition: In excellent condition Notes: Titled and dated by May in pencil lower right. Biography: Dan May is an American painter and printmaker born on March 11, 1955 in San Francisco, CA. Raised in aesthetic surroundings heavily influenced by his architect father, May grew up learning to view all things with an eye for design, color, and shape. At age 5, he remembers his father cutting up a book of drawings by Henri Matisse and hanging them on the walls of their home. The French master Matisse as well as Richard Diebenkorn and David Hockney are his favorite art influences. He began his first attempts at painting at age 15, and later began to experiment with printmaking, teaching himself various techniques such as woodblock printing, etching, silkscreen printing, and monoprinting. Monoprinting soon became May's medium of choice due to its wide range of expression and spontaneity that he felt other techniques lacked. May - "With monoprinting, you can only work a piece for as a long as the paint stays wet, so the resulting print has a feeling of movement and immediacy. I also like how monoprinting allows the brush strokes to transfer a transparent light quality to the print. For me, this is a technique that bridges...
Screen
$3,395
H 29.375 in W 26.75 in
Donald Sultan Screenprint Signed, Contemporary, 2008, Wallflower 26
By Donald Sultan
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Donald Sultan Title: Wallflower 26 Portfolio: Wallflowers Medium: Screenprint on paper Date: 2008 Edition: 106/190 Frame Size: 29 3/8" x 26 3/4" Sheet Size: 24 1/4" x 21 1/2"...
Paper, Screen
Woman's Head - Woman's Head in Profile (left) (Havard)
By Elie Nadelman
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Woman's Head - Woman's Head in Profile (left) (Havard) Drypoint, 1920 Unsigned (as issued) From: The Drypoints of Elie Nadelman, 21 unpublished prints by the sculptor, proof from th...
Drypoint
$450
H 16.63 in W 35 in
A Woman and Her Pets /// Contemporary Pop Art Screenprint Animal Dog Cat Funny
By Dan May
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Dan May (American, 1955-) Title: "A Woman and Her Pets" *Signed and numbered by May in pencil lower left Year: 1991 Medium: Original Screenprint on unbranded white wove paper...
Screen
$450
H 37.25 in W 25.25 in D 0.3 in
Original 1918, Sure! We'll Finish the Job, Victory Liberty Loan, vintage poster
By Gerrit Beneker
Located in Spokane, WA
Original 1918 Gerrit A. Beneker "Sure! We'll Finish the Job" Victory Liberty Loan Poster, archival linen-backed in good condition, ready to frame. Grade B+ An iconic and authentic ...
Lithograph
Rare serigraph "The Grand Party" Giancarlo Impiglia
By Giancarlo Impiglia
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
"The Grand Party:" A rare hand-dated and signed serigraph by world-renowned Giancarlo Impiglia, whose value is bound only to increase. Born in Rome, Impiglia moved to New York in th...
Screen
$850
H 55 in W 39 in D 0.05 in
Cappiello's Contratto Canelli Vermouth - later printing, archival linen-backed
By Leonetto Cappiello
Located in Spokane, WA
Original Contratto Canelli Vermouth vintage Italian liquor poster. Archival linen backed and ready to frame. Very good condition. This is the later c.1950 lithograph printing of the poster. Beautiful advertising vintage affiche printed in offset lithography (second edition). There is no second printing date besides the original date inside the poster by Cappiello's signature. (Note that the earlier printing sells for about $9500.) Most standard size original Italian posters are 39" x 55" in size; or 27.5" x 39 half sheets. This is currently the lowest and best price for this Cappiello Contratto poster...
Offset
$8,742
H 27.96 in W 22.05 in
Christo, Corridor Store Front (documenta Foundation) - Two-part Screenprint
By Christo and Jeanne-Claude
Located in Hamburg, DE
Christo (American-Bulgarian, b. 1935) Corridor Store Front, Project, 1967-1968 Medium: Two-part screenprint with hinges, to be opened (front print die-cut, mounted on acetate; rear p...
Plastic, Wood, Paper, Cardboard, Screen
$2,595
H 32.25 in W 22.5 in
Original Connor Brothers, Signed, Framed, 2020, Tell Him I Was Too Fucking Busy
By The Connor Brothers
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: The Connor Brothers Title: Tell Him I Was Too Fucking Busy - Or Vice Versa Medium: Giclee print with silkscreen varnish Year: 2020 Edition: 36/50 Image Size: 25" x 16" Sheet ...
Varnish, Giclée, Screen
$300
H 36 in W 24 in
Matt Ferguson - Spiderman: Homecoming - Contemporary Cinema Movie Film Posters
By Matt Ferguson
Located in Asheville, NC
Spiderman: Homecoming Spider-Man: Homecoming is a 2017 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man, co-produced by Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. It is the second Spider-Man film reboot and the 16th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was directed by Jon Watts, from a screenplay by the writing teams of Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, Watts and Christopher Ford, and Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Tom Holland stars as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, alongside Michael Keaton, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori, Bokeem Woodbine, Tyne Daly, Marisa Tomei, and Robert Downey Jr. In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker tries to balance high school life with being Spider-Man while facing the Vulture. Artists: Ferguson, Matt Edition Details Year: 2020 Class: Cinema Status: Official Released: 07/16/20 Run: 300 Technique: Screen Print Size: 24 X 36 Markings: Numbered About Artist: "Matt Ferguson...
Archival Paper, Color, Digital, Laser, Giclée, Pigment, Archival Pigment...
Derrick Adams Silkscreen, 2022, Signed, Silver Lining
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Silver Lining Medium: Silkscreen, relief, and collage Year: 2022 Edition: 36/100 Frame Size: 31 1/4" x 24 1/2" Sheet Size: 27" x 20 1/4" Signed: Hand sig...
Screen
Untitled from How I Spent My Summer
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Untitled (Sheet 9) Portfolio: How I Spent My Summer 2021 Medium: Screenprint with collage Year: 2021 Edition: BAT (the good-to-print proofs, aside from t...
Mixed Media, Screen
Untitled from How I Spent My Summer
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Untitled (Sheet 8) Portfolio: How I Spent My Summer 2021 Medium: Screenprint with collage Year: 2021 Edition: BAT (the good-to-print proofs, aside from t...
Mixed Media, Screen
Untitled from How I Spent My Summer
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Untitled (Sheet 7) Portfolio: How I Spent My Summer 2021 Medium: Screenprint with collage Year: 2021 Edition: BAT (the good-to-print proofs, aside from t...
Mixed Media, Screen
Untitled from How I Spent My Summer
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Untitled (Sheet 6) Portfolio: How I Spent My Summer 2021 Medium: Screenprint with collage Year: 2021 Edition: BAT (the good-to-print proofs, aside from t...
Mixed Media, Screen
Untitled from How I Spent My Summer
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Untitled (Sheet 5) Portfolio: How I Spent My Summer 2021 Medium: Screenprint with collage Year: 2021 Edition: BAT (the good-to-print proofs, aside from t...
Mixed Media, Screen
Untitled from How I Spent My Summer
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Untitled (Sheet 4) Portfolio: How I Spent My Summer 2021 Medium: Screenprint with collage Year: 2021 Edition: BAT (the good-to-print proofs, aside from t...
Mixed Media, Screen
Untitled from How I Spent My Summer
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Untitled (Sheet 2) Portfolio: How I Spent My Summer 2021 Medium: Screenprint with collage Year: 2021 Edition: BAT (the good-to-print proofs, aside from t...
Mixed Media, Screen
Untitled from How I Spent My Summer
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Untitled (Sheet 3) Portfolio: How I Spent My Summer 2021 Medium: Screenprint with collage Year: 2021 Edition: BAT (the good-to-print proofs, aside from t...
Mixed Media, Screen
Untitled from How I Spent My Summer
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Untitled (Sheet 1) Portfolio: How I Spent My Summer 2021 Medium: Screenprint with collage Year: 2021 Edition: BAT (the good-to-print proofs, aside from t...
Mixed Media, Screen
How I Spent My Summer
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: How I Spent My Summer Medium: Suite of 9 screenprints with collage Year: 2021 Edition: BAT (the good-to-print proofs, aside from the edition of 20 + 4 AP...
Screen, Mixed Media
Silver Lining
By Derrick Adams
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Derrick Adams Title: Silver Lining Medium: Silkscreen, relief, and collage Year: 2022 Edition: 29/100 Frame Size: 31 1/4" x 24 1/2" Sheet Size: 2...
Screen