Richard J. Watson Art

This is an abstract collage / painting created from acrylic and found objects. It is framed in a wide, dark wooden frame with gold accents. It includes several manipulated historic photograph of figures in many guises, arranged as if on stage. It is signed and dated by the artist lower left. PROVENANCE: Exhibited in "Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson," the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Oct 2021 - Mar 2022. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements of 'real life' collaged and collapsed, as dreams are prone to do. If connections are made, all the better. I feel that life should remind us of our dreams." - Richard J. Watson Richard J. Watson is an icon in the Philadelphia art world. Much of his work relates to his experiences as a Black African American man. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1968), has taught at his alma mater, and has served in the Exhibitions Department at the African American Museum in Philadelphia since the 1980s. He has been exhibiting his work for decades, and has an extensive bibliography. His work is held in the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art; the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; the Uniworld Corporation; Sony; the Federal Reserve Bank; the City of Philadelphia; Sprint; the Church of the Advocate; the poet Dr. Sonia Sanchez; and the Woodmere Museum...

This is an 3-part painting / construction (assemblage) created from acrylic paint, wood, glass, and found objects. It includes several historic photograph of figures as well as many scenes from Black African American cultural history. Each piece measures 23" x 7.75" x 2.5", and they can be hung close together or far apart, depending on the buyer's preference. All pieces are wired with the appropriate hanging hardware and are ready to install, no additional framing needed. PROVENANCE: Exhibited in "Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson," the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Oct 2021 - Mar 2022. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements of 'real life' collaged and collapsed, as dreams are prone to do. If connections are made, all the better. I feel that life should remind us of our dreams." - Richard J. Watson Richard J. Watson is an icon in the Philadelphia art world. Much of his work relates to his experiences as a Black African American man. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1968), has taught at his alma mater, and has served in the Exhibitions Department at the African American Museum in Philadelphia since the 1980s. He has been exhibiting his work for decades, and has an extensive bibliography. His work is held in the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art; the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; the Uniworld Corporation; Sony; the Federal Reserve Bank; the City of Philadelphia; Sprint; the Church of the Advocate; the poet Dr. Sonia Sanchez; and the Woodmere Museum...

Please contact me with zip code for precise shipping rates. "And the Beat Goes On" is a large acrylic collage painting with photograph portraits integrated into it, as well as found objects, and text. It includes imagery that references African American history and cultural references on the Black community. Signed by the artist. PROVENANCE: Exhibited in "Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson," the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Oct 2021 - Mar 2022. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements of 'real life' collaged and collapsed, as dreams are prone to do. If connections are made, all the better. I feel that life should remind us of our dreams." - Richard J. Watson Richard J. Watson is an icon in the Philadelphia art world. Much of his work relates to his experiences as a Black African American man. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1968), has taught at his alma mater, and has served in the Exhibitions Department at the African American Museum in Philadelphia since the 1980s. He has been exhibiting his work for decades, and has an extensive bibliography. His work is held in the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art; the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; the Uniworld Corporation; Sony; the Federal Reserve Bank; the City of Philadelphia; Sprint; the Church of the Advocate; the poet Dr. Sonia Sanchez; and the Woodmere Museum...

"Same Tune Different Drummer" is an acrylic collage painting with photograph portraits and a number of found objects integrated into the painting such a as military reference such as drums, guns, bullets, American flags, and imagery referencing American history. This painting "collects fragments from the artist's everyday life -- discarded objects found on the streets of Philadelphia that are saved and later repurposed to germinate an idea." Signed and dated by the artist. Already framed (with a second frame collaged into the work). All hanging hardware included and ready to install on your wall. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements...

"The Known Soldier" is an acrylic painting with photograph portraits and a number of found objects integrated into the painting including lace, decorative objets, and printed imagery referencing African American history. This painting "collects fragments from the artist's everyday life -- discarded objects found on the streets of Philadelphia that are saved and later repurposed to germinate an idea." Signed by the artist. No need for framing - all hanging hardware included and ready to install on your wall. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements...

"Southern Breezes" is an acrylic painting with photograph portraits and a number of found objects integrated into the painting including lace, decorative objets, and printed imagery referencing African American history. This painting "collects fragments from the artist's everyday life -- discarded objects found on the streets of Philadelphia that are saved and later repurposed to germinate an idea." Signed by the artist. No need for framing - all hanging hardware included and ready to install on your wall. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements...

"Gatekeeper" is a collage / painting created from acrylic and collage on leather mounted on MDF panel with yellow background. The work itself is 24" x 22", framed to 24.5" x 22.5" in a narrow, simple dark wooden frame. It includes several photograph of Black figures. It is signed and dated along the lower edge. This is one of a series of four works -- see image gallery for additional works in the series. Each is listed separately on IstDibs, but I will combine shipping for multiple purchases. PROVENANCE: Exhibited in "Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson," the African American Museum in Philadelphia, PA, Oct 2021 - Mar 2022 & "And the Beat Goes On," Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery, Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA, Sept - Oct 2022. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements...

"Skittles & Riddles" is a collage / painting created from acrylic and collage on leather mounted on MDF panel with predominant blue. The work itself is 24" x 22", framed to 24.5" x 2...

"Night Watchers" is a collage / painting created from acrylic and collage on leather mounted on MDF panel with predominant red / pink / orange. The work itself is 24" x 22", framed to 24.5" x 22.5" in a narrow, simple dark wooden frame. It includes several photograph of Black figures. It is signed and dated along the lower edge. This is one of a series of four works -- see image gallery for additional works in the series. Each is listed separately on IstDibs, but I will combine shipping for multiple purchases. PROVENANCE: Exhibited in "Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson," the African American Museum in Philadelphia, PA, Oct 2021 - Mar 2022 & "And the Beat Goes On," Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery, Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA, Sept - Oct 2022. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements...

This is a shadow box construction approx. 13" x 9" x 2.5" with painted and collaged materials including historic photographs of Black figures and other found objects. Encased in a dark wood frame under glass. It is signed and dated along the lower edge. PROVENANCE: Exhibited in "Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson," the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Oct 2021 - Mar 2022. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements...

This is a two-part wall mounted painting / sculpture this integrates found objects and photographs into an acrylic painting on the top, and a wooden shelf with bullet casings and coins below. This is a conceptual, abstract work of art that is a powerful homage to lives lost through calculated gun violence in American cites. signed by the artist. PROVENANCE: Exhibited in "Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson," the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Oct 2021 - Mar 2022. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements...

Please contact me with zip code for precise shipping rates. "Enough Said Already" is a large acrylic collage painting with photograph portraits integrated into it, as well as ticket stubs, and text. It includes imagery that references African American history...

"Pearl's World" is a large acrylic painting with a photograph portrait and a number of found objects integrated into the painting, including pearls, metal pins, tickets, and text. Th...

"A Majority of One" is a large, vertical acrylic painting with a photograph portrait of Tupac Shakur and a number of found metal objects integrated into t...

"Birth of the Blues" is a large acrylic painting with a photograph portraits and a number of found objects integrated into the painting, including metal doorplate, and wood panel ins...

This is a shadow box construction approx. 13" x 9" x 2.5" with painted and collaged materials and found objects. Encased in a dark wood frame under glass. It is signed and dated twice, at different orientations. PROVENANCE: Exhibited in "Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson," the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Oct 2021 - Mar 2022. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements...

This is a large, vertical acrylic painting of an imaginary, dream-like landscape with naturalistic flowers and abstract ocean references. Blues predominate. It is signed along lower ...

This is a large, vertical acrylic painting of an imaginary, dream-like landscape with naturalistic flowers and abstract ocean references. Blues predominate. It is signed along lower ...

"Every Time I Feel the Spirit" is a collage / painting created from acrylic and collage on leather mounted on MDF panel with predominant blue. The work itse...

"QUEEN VICTORIA" is created and from acrylic and found objects on round MDF panel. It includes a photograph of a figure, pocket knife, beads, charms, and other unidentified objects in metal and wood. It is signed and dated along the lower edge. PROVENANCE: Exhibited in "Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson," the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Oct 2021 - Mar 2022. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements of 'real life' collaged and collapsed, as dreams are prone to do. If connections are made, all the better. I feel that life should remind us of our dreams." - Richard J. Watson Richard J. Watson is an icon in the Philadelphia art world. Much of his work relates to his experiences as a Black African American man. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1968), has taught at his alma mater, and has served in the Exhibitions Department at the African American Museum in Philadelphia since the 1980s. He has been exhibiting his work for decades, and has an extensive bibliography. His work is held in the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art; the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; Temple University; the Uniworld Corporation; Sony; the Federal Reserve Bank; the City of Philadelphia; Sprint; the Church of the Advocate; the poet Dr. Sonia Sanchez; and the Woodmere Museum...

"In The Nick Of Time" is an abstract collage / painting created from acrylic and found objects on leather mounted on round MDF panel. The work itself is 20" diameter, framed to 23" diameter in a wide, dark brown round wooden frame with two bronze painted rings. It includes several photograph of figures. It is signed and dated along the lower edge. PROVENANCE: Exhibited in "Portals + Revelations: Richard J. Watson," the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Oct 2021 - Mar 2022. "Most of my works are supported by memories of the past and suggested realities. Issues of social politics, ancestral references, and astral projections are presented with fragmented elements of 'real life' collaged and collapsed, as dreams are prone to do. If connections are made, all the better. I feel that life should remind us of our dreams." - Richard J. Watson Richard J. Watson is an icon in the Philadelphia art world. Much of his work relates to his experiences as a Black African American man. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1968), has taught at his alma mater, and has served in the Exhibitions Department at the African American Museum in Philadelphia since the 1980s. He has been exhibiting his work for decades, and has an extensive bibliography. His work is held in the Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art; the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; the Uniworld Corporation; Sony; the Federal Reserve Bank; the City of Philadelphia; Sprint; the Church of the Advocate; the poet Dr. Sonia Sanchez; and the Woodmere Museum...