Artist Statement

In the past 5 years, working as an arborist, carving wood, and documenting myself on film, I have begun to see a tree and myself as two distant cousins in a wide spectrum of living creations. My artistic development is similar to the growth of a tree toward light and water. Trees are a symbolic and material connection between the worldly and the heavenly in view of Yuka, Yoruba, and Judeo-Christian belief. Artistic inspiration also originates on the spiritual plane, according to belief either in heaven, in the dream world or from the dead, our ancestors. Thus I see growth pattern of a tree as the representative mapping of my mental and philosophical path.

I had been uprooted into Germany for the past 8 years. While acclimating to new soil and a surrogate language, I began soul-searching, exploring my American-ness. What are the responsibilities of being a member of the most militarily, economically, and culturally dominating nation of the world? Where do I fit into the history of the formation of this nation and what are the ideas that formed and were formed out of this? What does it mean to be a new world resident of mixed blood? What does it mean to be light skinned, an American Negro who passes for white? What are my Roots and what do they offer this nation and the world today?

Bio

Schooling and learning

1993 Graduated 12th grade The Hill School, Pottstown PA
1993-1994 Rhode Island School of Design
1994-1995 Traveled by hitchhiking and boxcar through the USA and Canada
1995-1996 Rhode Island School of Design
1996-1997 Married and became father
1997 1999 University of Pennsylvania CGS, Fine Arts major, graduation with a B.A.
1999-2007 worked as artist and arborist in Hamburg, Germany

Shows

1995
* Third Eye Gallery Providence Rhode Island, USA, “Third Eye Art Collective”
1996
* The Black History Society, Providence Rhode Island, Students group show
* The Black Repertoire Theater, Providence, Rhode Island
1999
* Meyerson Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, student show
2001
* Art e Vinum, Hamburg, Germany, with Pavel Ehrlich
* Haus Basse, Leer, Germany, group show of 8
2002
* Heide Museums Insel, Heide, Germany, with Annette Czerny
* Schloß Reinbek, Reinbek, Germany, art fair
* ElbArt NN, Hamburg, Germany, group show
* The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, “African American artists in
Clay”
2003
* Home and Garden, Hamburg, Germany, with Hamburger Baumkletterer
2004
* Soteria, Hamburg, Germany, 4 artist show
2005
* S.K.A.M., Hamburg, Germany, "A Place to Meet" 1 man show
* RaumZwei, Mannheim, Germany, S.K.A.M in Mannheim, group show
2006
* S.K.A.M., Hamburg, “S.K.A.M.Ausstellung”, group show
* Axel Springer Haus, Hamburg, “Asche und Ader” Kunsttreppe Hamburg

Contact

wejones@gmx.de
518-303-1959

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