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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
$1,250
H 12.5 in W 9.75 in D 0.75 in
Cornucopia (limited edition hardback monograph hand signed by Damien Hirst)
By Damien Hirst
Located in New York, NY
Damien Hirst Cornucopia, 2010 Limited edition hardback monograph (hand signed by Damien Hirst) Hand signed in ink by Damien Hirst on the first front end page 12 1/2 × 9 3/4 × 3/4 inches This limited edition illustrated hardback monograph, with no dust jacket, exactly as issued, was published on the occasion of the artist's show at Musee Oceanographique de Monaco in April 2010, 'Cornucopia' celebrates Hirst's paintings and sculptures from 1994-2009." This book was gifted by Damien Hirst to a member of an American Rock & Roll band that Hirst befriended. Stated Limited Edition of 2000 (unnumbered) About the book: Publisher: Musée Océanographique de Monaco, 2010 Text: English / French. 160 pgs with color illustrations Limited Edition: 2000 (the regular edition is not signed; this was exceptionally hand signed by Hirst) About Damien Hirst: People are afraid of change, so you create a kind of belief for them through repetition. It’s like breathing. I’ve always been drawn to series and pairs. A unique thing is quite a frightening object. —Damien Hirst Since emerging onto the international art scene in the late 1980s, Damien Hirst has created installations, sculptures, paintings, and drawings that examine the complex relationships between art and beauty, religion and science, and life and death. From serialized paintings of multicolored spots to animal specimens...
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
$2,200
H 25 in W 40 in
Marshall - large format photograph of iconic cherry red Cadillac automobile
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
large scale photograph of iconic American vintage car with crimson red sheetmetal paint and custom logo tag Marshall by Frank Schott 25 x 40 inches (64 x 102cm) signed edition of ...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Archival Ink, Giclée
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
$669
H 13.78 in W 12.6 in
Abstract Landscape Rajasthan Light Viscosity Print Natural Green Turquoise
By Mukesh Sharma
Located in Norfolk, GB
There is a natural and raw understanding in Mukesh Sharma’s prints that depict, and are influenced by, the Rajastani communities of his home town in rura...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Archival Pigment
$2,800
H 11.25 in W 12.5 in D 2 in
Edward Ruscha at the Texas Gallery vintage invitation, to Dennis Hopper, Framed
By Ed Ruscha
Located in New York, NY
This rare exhibition invitation for Ed (Edward) Ruscha's 1974 exhibition at Texas Gallery, Houston, which Ruscha, himself, designed, was mailed to actor, photographer, collector and ...
Postcard
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
Woman's Head
By Elie Nadelman
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Edition of 50 printed by Charles White in 1951 for the estate Bibliography: Lincoln Kirstein, Elie Nademan (New York: The Eakins Press, 1973),, 20 Elie Nadelman Born 1882, Warsaw...
Drypoint
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
$2,500
H 11.25 in W 8.25 in
Woman's Head in Profile - Woman's Head in Profile (left) (Havard)
By Elie Nadelman
Located in Fairlawn, OH
Woman's Head in Profile - Woman's Head in Profile (left) (Havard) Drypooint, 1920 Unsigned (as usual) From: The Drypoints of Elie Nadelman, 21 unpublished prints by the sculptor, pro...
Drypoint
$1,352
H 27.56 in W 21.66 in
Abstract Landscape Rajasthan Print Nature Multicultural Faces Earth Orange Brown
By Mukesh Sharma
Located in Norfolk, GB
There is a natural and raw understanding in Mukesh Sharma’s prints that depict, and are influenced by, the Rajastani communities of his home town in rura...
Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Linocut, Archival Pigment
$880
H 9.75 in W 11.5 in D 0.75 in
Hardback Monograph: Alex Katz in Maine (hand signed and dated by Alex Katz)
By Alex Katz
Located in New York, NY
Alex Katz in Maine, 2005 Hardback monograph (hand signed and dated by Alex Katz) Boldly signed and dated 6.9.10 by Alex Katz on the first front end page 9 3/4 × 11 1/2 × 3/4 inches T...
Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset
$180
H 5.38 in W 3 in
A Gable in the Grande Rue, Lisieux, Etching, Modern, 1910s
By John Taylor Arms
Located in New Orleans, LA
This image is the 3rd etching created by Arms. It was printed byGrederick Reynolds in an edition of 116. Referenced as Fletcher #3 the image is the second in his Gable series. Lis...
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