Chicago based award winning artist, Martha Wade, remixes her own work and explores the richness of black people, the current times, and a hopeful future, in a new solo exhibition, “we are the black gold of the sun,” opening Friday October 23 at Blanc Gallery in Bronzeville.

In her first solo show in six years, Martha Wade will present new works on wood created in 2020 under the backdrop of this summer’s uprisings, familial memories, new drawings, and favorite works from her collection completely remixed. The show is curated by independent curator and AMFM Founder, Ciera Alyse McKissick.

Through her work, Wade seeks to depict her subjects as larger than life in stature alongside architectural linework and cityscapes, and full of life and color. The grains and shades of her wooden palettes become the skintones of her subjects, and represent the journey around the sun — both in material and the lives of the individuals.

The sun motif, along with stars, and strong spirit animals such as bears and whales from her series, Childhood Dreams & Conquered Fears, are recurring motifs in her work to personify strength, grandeur, longevity and vitality. This is especially embodied in response to the times of social unrest, distress and duress, that often fall at the feet of black people and people of color.

“I seek to combat the negative images often shown in media when Chicago, and people of color are portrayed,” Wade says. “I paint whimsical themes of fantasy, and portray cultural themes in a positive tone. My paintings depict people achieving dreams, and reaching their highest potential,” she said.

Chicago based award winning artist, Martha Wade, remixes her own work and explores the richness of black people, the current times, and a hopeful future, in a new solo exhibition, “we are the black gold of the sun,” opening Friday October 23 at Blanc Gallery in Bronzeville.

In her first solo show in six years, Martha Wade will present new works on wood created in 2020 under the backdrop of this summer’s uprisings, familial memories, new drawings, and favorite works from her collection completely remixed. The show is curated by independent curator and AMFM Founder, Ciera Alyse McKissick.

Through her work, Wade seeks to depict her subjects as larger than life in stature alongside architectural linework and cityscapes, and full of life and color. The grains and shades of her wooden palettes become the skintones of her subjects, and represent the journey around the sun — both in material and the lives of the individuals.

The sun motif, along with stars, and strong spirit animals such as bears and whales from her series, Childhood Dreams & Conquered Fears, are recurring motifs in her work to personify strength, grandeur, longevity and vitality. This is especially embodied in response to the times of social unrest, distress and duress, that often fall at the feet of black people and people of color.

“I seek to combat the negative images often shown in media when Chicago, and people of color are portrayed,” Wade says. “I paint whimsical themes of fantasy, and portray cultural themes in a positive tone. My paintings depict people achieving dreams, and reaching their highest potential,” she said.

For this exhibition, it was particularly important for Wade to let the work speak for itself by returning back to the basics of illustration by creating a set of drawings on paper, showcasing her signature style of detailed ink linework on wood, and remixing her own work through collage, mixed media, and using works created by her father. Martha learned to create at the foot of her artist father Eugene “Eda” Wade, who she watched and admired as a young girl longing for a canvas of her own. She has gone on to create over 200 paintings on wood and canvas.

“Utilizing creative energy to express strength, vulnerability, hope or fear has allowed me to find my voice. As a female artist, my work can intimidate or allure – but always tells a story through art,” Wade said.

Wade wants the viewer to remember when looking at her work, there is always light in darkness, and we are always the brightest stars.

The show runs October 23 – November 20 at Blanc Gallery located at 4445 South Martin Luther King Drive. Masks are required for entry, and 15 people will be allowed in the gallery at a time. RSVPs are encouraged but not required.

For more information about the show and how to RSVP please visit, wadecreate.com.

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Tags: AMFM, Blanc Gallery, Bronzville, Chicago, Ciera Alyse McKissic, Martha Wade, we are the black gold of the sun