edited by tfr | 05 june 2019
milan´s interpretation on the themes of beauty and sexuality in contemporary society, identity and the body, as he draws from sports culture, pornography, and fashion. His work represents a refreshing look, one that I haven´t seen in some time, that are not self explanatory and they are not going to tell you anything concrete. Large collages made of cut-and-pasted pieces of paper, mixed-media works in charcoal, graphite, pastel, oil pastel, acrylic paint, and cutouts on hand-dyed paper, graphite, gesso, and inkjet print make you wander in your thoughts looking for a reflection of your universe.
“ I’m always interested in creating images that have this sense of inviting and repelling at the same time, of being both beautiful and grotesque.”
between the blurred meanings and lines are however very real messages, such as the mass killing of nearly five dozens of people at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on June 16, 2016, or the fact that the Milan uses blue in skin tones, as in feeling the blues, which originated in the Deep South, signaling the end of slavery in order to disrupt color as a racial marker.
Wardell Milan, “When he became close to God.” (2019), charcoal, graphite, pastel, oil pastel, acrylic paint, cut-and-pasted paper on hand dyed paper 
Wardell Milan, “I can’t carry you, you are going to make me fall…” (2019), charcoal, graphite, pastel, oil pastel, acrylic paint, cut-and-pasted paper on hand dyed paper 
Wardell Milan
In Euphoria, we find two Kung Fu Warriors fumbling towards a reconciliation.
2019
charcoal, graphite, gesso, etching ink, cut-and-pasted paper on inkjet print
Wardell Milan, “Pulse” (2019), charcoal, graphite, pastel, oil pastel, acrylic paint, cut-and-pasted paper on hand dyed paper 
Wardell Milan
Holy Holly
2019
charcoal, graphite, pastel, oil pastel, acrylic paint, cut-and-pasted paper on hand dyed paper
Wardell Milan
3 Warriors: Kung Fu Kelvin, Samurai Seitu, and King Kunta Kinte
2019
charcoal, graphite, gesso, etching ink, cut-and-pasted paper on inkjet print
wardell milan´s work is an important statement that needs to be taken into account, now more than ever In the name of diversity — which public institutions are claiming to practice. A new study found that 80% of the artists in new york city´s major galleries are white.
all images © wardell milan
via hyperallergic
Delirious Club 