Under the Black Flag, 2022 by Julian V.L. Gaines

Under the Black Flag, 2022
oil, house paint, tattoo transfer, ink, oil stick, flags
60 x 48

About the Artist:
Julian V. L. Gaines (@juworkingonprojects) is a conceptual, multidisciplinary, installation artist and painter. Native to Chicago, Illinois, now based outside of Portland, Oregon.  

His work has appeared in The New York Times, two covers of New York Magazine, and led to notable brand partnerships with Nike, Jordan Brand, NASCAR, Maker’s Mark, Jet Life Recordings, Kiwi, Levi Strauss & Co. and more.

His artistic practice involves embodying the social mores and principles he preaches daily. This is best exemplified through projects released under ‘Ju Working On Projects™️’, Gaines’ independent creative company -  his ‘For Creatives, By Creatives’ initiative and “Game Worn” campaign produced four signature shoes with Nike Sportswear, whose 2018 release at Notre Shop in Chicago, and subsequent proceeds, funded 500 scholarships for creatives in his childhood Chicago community. This is especially significant as Gaines originally set out for Portland with $100 in his pocket on a one-way ticket, where his tenacity and creative vision sparked a genuine relationship with Nike on a human level.

Pulling from a multitude of references ranging from life in Oregon, to music and books he is currently reading, Gaines artistic practice repaints history in oil and house paint. His works have progressed to a larger scale of depth and social commentary, intending the works to be both critical and constructive. 

In 2021 Gaines created a body of work entitled “karen(s)”, which was inspired by his former neighbor calling the police on him claiming elder abuse, after he’d just watched her hit his car. That body of work went on to be used as the cover of New York Magazine’s issue “The Karen Next Door, A Modern American Story”.

In his ‘Emmett Till’ collection, ‘Images of Emmett’ show an adolescent being championed, portraying the potential of a young, black boy against the darkness consuming his external world. 

And in his “Under The Flag” series, he uses the American flag as a translucent medium, forcing the viewers to engage with the body of work by physically lifting the flag to reveal the story painted underneath. 

A celebrated collaborator, investor, and classic car enthusiast, Gaines currently resides just outside of Portland. He maintains a creative studio near the Oregon Coast, and dedicates his time to rendering his innermost thoughts onto canvas.