1822 Vesey depicts an imagined portrait of Denmark Vesey, the enslaved carpenter and revolutionary whose planned rebellion in Charleston would have fundamentally altered American history. Rather than depicting a historical moment, this work imagines what Vesey might have become had his revolt succeeded. The composition incorporates the palmetto tree and crescent moon—iconic symbols of South Carolina and the Lowcountry—elements that anchor all of my portraits dedicated to this region.
Created entirely in ballpoint pen, the intricate detail and layering of the medium honors Vesey's vision of freedom whilst celebrating his enduring legacy.
This piece is part of the permanent collection at the Avery Research Center of History & Culture in Charleston, South Carolina, home to archival documents from Vesey's 1822 case.
1822 Vesey depicts an imagined portrait of Denmark Vesey, the enslaved carpenter and revolutionary whose planned rebellion in Charleston would have fundamentally altered American history. Rather than depicting a historical moment, this work imagines what Vesey might have become had his revolt succeeded. The composition incorporates the palmetto tree and crescent moon—iconic symbols of South Carolina and the Lowcountry—elements that anchor all of my portraits dedicated to this region.
Created entirely in ballpoint pen, the intricate detail and layering of the medium honors Vesey's vision of freedom whilst celebrating his enduring legacy.
This piece is part of the permanent collection at the Avery Research Center of History & Culture in Charleston, South Carolina, home to archival documents from Vesey's 1822 case.
