The Art of Justice
The Art of Justice
About: My journey as an artist began in 1977 when I was enlightened by my uncle Nolan on a unique wood carving technique that his older brother Donald learned in prison. My first efforts were exact duplicates of my uncles’ work. After a few pieces, I altered their designs to add my own touch. After a few more, my own voice and vision emerged. I started out using scrap lumber, but an early turning point was my first visit to Southern Lumber Company in San Jose, CA. I was spellbound and spent hours sifting through exotic woods from all over the world. The touch, textures, colors, smells and grain patterns were mesmerizing. I think I touched every piece of wood in the place, from ash to zebrawood and some of that wood touched me as well. It was mind boggling to consider that the piece of ebony I held might have come from a tree that witnessed the birth of slavery. The slice of oak may have come from a tree that provided shade for the Underground Railroad. Maybe some mother’s son was hung from the Tennessee Pine. It was clear to me that those trees had stories to tell and I was determined to translate!
Website: www.blackpeace.com
