Claire Oliver Gallery and The Outsider Art Museum & Gallery announce the unveiling of artist BK Adams’ monumental sculpture, The Messenger: Time, a large-scale steel sculpture showcasing the artists’ iconic blue horse.
This three-story tall public installation will serve as a beacon of artistic inspiration in Louisville, referencing the city’s history as a manufacturing hub and also the home of the world-renowned Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Standing at an impressive 25 feet tall and 38 feet long, The Messenger: Time, is a handcrafted steel sculpture that embodies the spirit of American manufacturing while questioning, “Who is selling us the dream now?” The Messenger: Time is draped with 130 clocks, where a saddle would rest, symbolizing our relationship with the constant passage of time. With more than 7,000 running feet of welds and a vibrant blue industrial car paint finish, the work stands as a testament to self-reliance and empowerment.
Alex Huninghake, co-founder and director of the Outsider Art Museum states: “This sculpture is more than just an artwork; it’s a symbol of the tenacity and creativity that drives our community. BK Adams’ work is a powerful reminder that art has the ability to inspire and provoke thought, and we are honored to host this monumental sculpture.”
BK Adams is an African American visual artist and sculptor based in Washington, D.C. His work, known for its bold colors, inspirational messaging, and large-scale expression, spans across media, including painting, mixed media installation, and sculpture. Adams’ unique approach to materiality and storytelling has earned him recognition in prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, where the maquette for this work, Blue Horse is permanently exhibited.
In discussing the sculpture, BK Adams remarked, “I am a thinker, philosopher, and artist. My work is meant to inspire, motivate, comfort, and reassure. Time is our friend; I live every day inspired. In my work, you will find fragments of my philosophy there for the taking. Patterns, numbers, ciphers, letters, lines… These are the textures that represent the life I hope to share with everyone who stands in front of my work.”
Gallerist Claire Oliver states: “BK Adams is an artist whose vision transcends traditional boundaries. His ability to weave together complex narratives through everyday materials is truly remarkable. The Messenger: Time is a work that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on all who encounter it. We could not be more pleased to have this spectacular work in Louisville, the childhood home of Adams’ lifelong mentor and friend, Sam Gilliam.
Harlem’s Claire Oliver Gallery and The Outsider Art Museum hosted the official ribbon-cutting ceremony with the artist, which took place on September 25, 2024, inviting the community to celebrate and welcome this powerful addition to the city’s cultural landscape. Remarks were made by Mayor Craig Greenberg, Raphaela Platow, Executive Director of the Speed Art Museum, and the artist himself.
BK Adams
BK Adams, a self-taught artist and sculptor based in Washington, D.C., is renowned for his avant-garde expressionist abstract works that explore themes of materiality and storytelling. Mentored by the late color field painter Sam Gilliam, Adams has developed a distinctive style that incorporates mixed media, everyday objects, and vibrant colors to create works that reflect his life’s journey. His work is in the permanent collections of the NMAAHC, Smithsonian Institution, American University Museum, and North Dakota Art Museum, among others.
The Outsider Art Museum
The Outsider Art Museum in Louisville, KY, is dedicated to celebrating the creativity and vision of self-taught artists, often referred to as outsider artists, who operate outside the conventional boundaries of the art world. The museum provides a platform for these artists to showcase their work and share their unique perspectives with the public. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and community engagement, the museum aims to foster an appreciation for the diverse expressions of human creativity. Notable exhibitions have included works by some of the most influential outsider artists from around the world, making the museum a cornerstone of Louisville’s vibrant cultural scene. The Outsider Art Museum, 2510 Portland Ave, Louisville, KY 40212, https://www.outsiderartky.com/
Claire Oliver Gallery
Claire Oliver Gallery is located in Central Harlem in a four-story brownstone. For nearly 25 years, Claire Oliver Gallery has showcased and celebrated artwork, with a focus on work by women and people of color, which transcends and challenges the traditional art historical canon. Our forward-thinking program and exclusive commitment to the primary market allows for an intensive focus that has nurtured and grown the careers of our artists. Many of the gallery’s artists have been included in The Venice Biennale, The Whitney Biennial, and biennales in Sydney, Pittsburgh, and Lyon and have exhibited works in major international museums including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, Centre Georges Pompidou, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and The Los Angeles County Museum of Art amongst others.
Claire Oliver Gallery artists are included in the permanent collections of many important museums worldwide including The Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Tate Britain, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The State Hermitage Museum, MoMA, and the Museum of Arts and Design amongst many others. Claire Oliver Gallery held the first American exhibition for the Russian collaborative AES+F, whose work went on to twice represent Russia in the Russian pavilion of the Venice Biennale. Gallery artists have received prestigious fellowships including Fulbright, Guggenheim, USArtist, and National Endowment for the Arts. Claire Oliver Gallery. 2288 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, New York, NY 10030, www.claireoliver.com
Photo credit: 1-3) BK Adams, The Messenger: Time, 2023. Images courtesy of Claire Oliver Gallery and The Outsider Art Museum.
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