Jerrell Gibbs

Man at Peace, 2022

48 × 48 ″ Oil, acrylic, oil stick on canvas

Sold

The oil painting "Man at Peace" is a deeply personal exploration of Jerrell Gibbs' journey through a period of self-doubt to a sense of inner tranquility. Gibbs created the piece after a period of creative block. During this time, he faced imposter syndrome by comparing himself to other artists and taking on ideas and values that were not a true representation of himself. The artist found reprieve in revisiting what is most important to him. Reflecting upon and examining the life experiences specific to his faith, his family, and himself.

The painting portrays a man sitting in a striped reclining chair, holding vibrant red flowers from a vase beside him. The flowers are a motif throughout the artist's work that generates a sense of movement in his compositions and creates a powerful visual statement about the association of Black men with beauty. The figure depicted in the work is symbolic of Gibbs' current state after extensive growth, at peace with himself and the world around him.