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.
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
$10,500
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
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
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
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
$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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
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
Spanish Woman with Guitar
By Jan Matulka
Located in New York, NY
Jan Matulka (1890-1972), Spanish Woman with Guitar, lithograph, 1925, an unsigned proof impression. Reference: Flint 13, only a few impressions known...
Lithograph
$2,500
H 17.12 in W 15.56 in
"Farmer, " Portrait Linoleum Cut signed by Schomer Lichtner
By Schomer Lichtner
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Farmer" is an original linoleum print by Schomer Lichtner, signed in the lower right hand corner. A side profile of a man in rendered in clear lines full of expression. Image: 6" x...
Linocut
Bhutan Abstraction PF-1 and PF-2
By Ricardo Mazal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This unframed, signed, limited edition pigment print by world renown artist Ricardo Mazal exists in an edition of 30. The image is printed at full bleed to the edge of the paper. Bo...
Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
Robert Longo Men In The Cities announcement 1985
By Robert Longo
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Robert Longo Men in the Cities: Rare original 1985 announcement card published on the occasion of: Men In The Cities from November 9 - December 7, 1985 at Brooke Alexander, Inc.; 59...
Offset
$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
I Love You - Red glass pop art pill sculpture
By Edie Nadelhaft
Located in East Quogue, NY
"I Love U" (I <3 U) - Limited edition red glass pill sculpture by Edie Nadelhaft. Edition of 9. Signed and numbered on the back by the artist. The piece is equipped with a D-ri...
Glass, Mixed Media
$589
H 38.5 in W 27.25 in D 0.05 in
Original "Rimini" vintage poster woman on beach holding the sun
By René Gruau
Located in Spokane, WA
Original vintage travel poster for the city of Rimini by the poster artist Rene Gruau. Size: 27.25" x 39". Excellent condition. Paper. An original poster was created for the cit...
Offset
KAT - Knicks Finals Champion Limited Edition Print, 24 x 24 inches
By Agent X
Located in New York, NY
OG Anunoby by Agent X Medium: Archival Pigment Inks on 240 gsm hahnemühle paper 24 x 24 inch Black & White Limited Edition Print Edition of 20 Signed by Agent X
Giclée
The souper dress
By Andy Warhol
Located in Jerusalem, IL
A wonderful piece of unknown edition by Andy Warhol. A silkscreen print on a Cellulose and Cotton dress. Fearing the artist's trade mark Campbell's soup can. In very good condition.
Textile, Screen
$350
H 28 in W 20 in
Miami Inspired Art Deco Still Life, Studio54, Pastel Tones Disco Lights, Purple
By Ryan Rivadeneyra
Located in Barcelona, ES
"Sexy Miami Futuristic Cocktail Lounge" is a series of photographs by Ryan Rivadeneyra inspired by the Art Deco colors of Miami that show beautiful objects and textures arranged meti...
Photographic Film, Archival Ink, Photographic Paper, C Print, Digital, G...
Virgin Mary Poster
By Kiki Smith
Located in New York, NY
Screenprint on handmade Napalese paper. Edition of 3000. Printed by Universität für angewandte Kunst, Vienna. Published by MAK Galerie, Österreichisches Museum für angewandte Kunst, ...
Handmade Paper, Screen
Portrait of James McBey.
By Walter Tittle
Located in Plano, TX
James McBey. 1931. Drypoint. 8 7/8 x 5 7/8 (sheet 11 1/2 x 9 ). An extremely rich impression with drypoint burr, printed by the artist on cream wove paper. Signed in the plate lower ...
Drypoint, Etching
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