Cracking Up, 2021
Acrylic, enamel on canvas
48 x 60 inches
Jonathan Harris’ “Cracking Up” displays the artist’s signature drip enamel style in his largest work, to-date, utilizing this technique. The depiction of a young girl enthralled in laughter is meant to dispel the myth of the “angry black woman” by conveying the joy, innocence and hopeful simplicity of girlhood, and embracing the girl that lies within every mother, sister, colleague, friend or wife.
Born and raised in the city of Detroit, Jonathan Harris attended the Detroit School for the Fine and Performing Arts, and Henry Ford Community College and Oakland University, where he majored in Graphic Design and minored in Studio Art. Working primarily in acrylics, oils, pen or charcoal, his work focuses on current events and the African American experience. Bringing awareness to social and world issues, in addition to instilling pride into the black community, are goals he wishes to accomplish through his art, which currently resides in the homes of local collectors and has been presented during special programs at the Detroit Institute of Arts and in local galleries. Harris was Artist-In Residence at Irwin House Gallery from October 2020 through March 2021 and is currently curating BONDED – an outdoor group exhibition presented by DTE at Detroit’s Beacon Park April 23-25, 2021.