Plainfield, nj - spring 2023
KyleOlani
"be the renaissance"
"propaganda 03"
charcoal on paper | 14 x 20 in.
sold
"propaganda" is a series of original artwork created with the intent of helping to establish, create and control the narratives of young African American men. "03" is a self-portrait that references the titles of each of my previous collections of original artwork. this piece serves as the manifesto for my fourth collection of original works titled "be the renaissance".
"self reflection"
charcoal on paper | 24 x 36 in.
SOLD
as the title eludes, this piece was used as a way for me to look inside myself. themes of gratitude, humility and aspiration are all present in this piece. the use of suitcases, which have become a common theme in my work reference my urge to travel and explore the world after being confined for so long due to the covid-19 pandemic. a camera is featured which references my affinity for storytelling through film and photography. this piece is inspired by normal rockwell's famous "triple-self portrait".
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"renaissance blues"
charcoal on paper | 22 x 30 in.
Sold
"When the flowers bloom"
conte on paper | 22 x 30 in.
SOLD
for my spring collection I wanted to create a piece that gives off the energy of seasons changing. spring is arriving, flowers are blooming, caterpillars are turn into butterflies. change, growth and new beginnings are all present themes in this piece.
"soul sample"
charcoal on paper | 24 x 36 in.
sold
in music, a soul sample means to take a portion of a funk, soul or blues song and repurpose it in a new way. this art has been perfected by artists such as 9th wonder, Kanye West, j dilla and more. in this piece, I "sampled" my fathers' oil painting titled, "in the groove" and depicted it over a figure drawing of a good friend, Samuel krapah, a young music producer from the bronx who I believe will one day reach the level of success that the music artists mentioned above have achieved.
forever on that - Dougie b (prod. by Samuel krapah)
"traveling man"
charcoal on paper | 24 x 36 in.
SOLD
an artists' expression of the overwhelming urge to travel and explore the world
"parks"
charcoal on paper | 22 x 30 in.
SOLD
gordon parks is the definition of a renaissance man. as a photographer, filmmaker, musician, and author, Parks created an iconic body of work that documented American life and culture, with a focus on social justice, the civil rights movement, and the African American experience.
"throne chaser"
charcoal on paper | 22 x 30 in.
SOLD
throne chaser is an original mini documentary DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY KYLE OLANI. it is inspired by the late Plainfield, nj native, Dii'jon Allen Jordan's infamous phrase "I need that throne". throne chaser document the rise of SPlainfield's jamarques Lawrence as he leads Roselle Catholic high school to its final tournament of champions.
"renaissance sim"
charcoal on paper | 22 x 30 in.
SOLD
the subject is Simeon Wilcher, a five-star, all-American basketball player from Plainfield, nj. he is committed to the university of north Carolina and lead Roselle Catholic high school to its final tournament of champions alongside jamarques Lawrence
"sweet"
charcoal on paper | 22 x 30 in.
SOLD
"Rise"
cONTE on paper | 22 x 30 in.
SOLD
"we are not the same"
an original commercial directed and produced by Kyle olani
co-produced by Zachery massung
featuring tarik watson
VoiceOver by nba legend Tony Allen
