Jesse Wright’s monumental Portraits of Mamie Till-Mobley, Larcenia “Cissy” Floyd, and Eileen Wright

Sep 12—Dec 31, 2020

ArtYard is pleased to present Three Mothers, Jesse Wright’s monumental Portraits of Mamie Till-Mobley, Larcenia “Cissy” Floyd, and Eileen Wright. Beginning September 12, the original works will be on view in the ArtYard Project Gallery at 62A Trenton Avenue and the banner installation will be on view on the Kerr Street wall of ArtYard’s new building at 13 Front St.

Three Mothers features a triptych of portraits of mothers with their infant sons: Larcenia “Cissy” Floyd and George, Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett, and the artist’s mother Eileen Wright and himself.

“With Three Mothers, there was a desire to highlight each mother while maintaining the presence of their sons. The sons are painted in “silhouette” or “outline”, each overlaying a background related to their narrative. I’m grateful for an opportunity to speak into this moment through this collaboration with ArtYard. I hope to set right and reverse, in some way, the energy at play in the countless defaced Floyd murals while also disarming hostile conversation by leaning into compassion and encouraging empathy through recognizing George Floyd’s call for his mother.” – Jesse Wright

Viewers are invited and encouraged to engage with the art through writing letters to these mothers in providing a cathartic release or a reflective act of compassion. Pictures of the contributor’s mothers are welcome as well. Letters can be written and offered in the ArtYard Project Gallery.