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"Geegee (He had red Hair)"

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Peter Williams - Geegee (He had red Hair)
Peter Williams was an African American painter based in Wilmington, Delaware who was represented by the Luis de Jesus gallery in Los Angeles, CA. He was born in 1952 and died in August of 2021. His work had been featured in many permanent and private collections across the country and he had been painting for over 45 years. Williams' work is predominantly centered around the diverse experiences of black Americans, with a large body of work covering topics of black oppression both historically and in contemporary spaces.

Geegee (He had red Hair):
The piece "Geegee (He had red Hair)" was made in 2019 and is a 16 x 20 inch painting made with oil based enamel and graphite on canvas. The piece depicts a face with exaggerated features. The eyes, nose, and mouth are comically large and semi-abstracted while the flowing orange/red hair comprises the majority of the composition. The piece uses a bright and bold color palette of oranges, yellows, and reds, and blues. The piece also incorporates a pointillism technique in the construction of the face. Beyond the more formal elements, this piece centers around the idea of black exodus. Williams creates fictional characters and narratives to tell the stories of African Americans from a fresh perspective and as a way to fuse his own experience with the experiences of others on a more global scale. This piece represents a fictional character that Williams has created, as a humorous yet discursive way of redefining the black gaze. This piece uses bold colors, abstraction, and exaggerated features to capture the attention of the viewer and start a conversation about confrontation, consciousness, and conscience.This work is unapologetically Black and centers around telling the stories of Black people from an authentic perspective. This piece is bold and attention grabbing, as Williams goal was to expose people to new and different perspectives other than their own.

Bright Colors Dark Truths:

Peter Williams' artwork delves into dark and violent realities such as racial oppression, police brutality, slavery, and mass incarceration. However, in contrast to these themes, this piece is vibrant, humorous, and full of color. Through the use of personal memories, fictional characters, and historical details, Williams reinterprets American history from a fresh, comic perspective. By presenting absurdities at the core of American society, his work challenges us to reconsider these myths.
At first glance, “Geegee (He had red Hair)” is a riot of colors and shapes, with bold usage of oranges, yellows, and blues. The painting’s figure is a large, cartoonish, creature with a red mane of hair. The use of bright colors and energetic brushstrokes gives the painting a lively and dynamic quality. These formal qualities of Williams’ work are noteworthy. The painting’s bright hues and bold contrasts create a sense of intensity while the gestural brush strokes give the work an air of spontaneity. The use of contrasting colors (oranges against blues) also create a visual tension that heightens the painting's emotional impact. However, upon closer inspection, the painting also reveals a much deeper meaning.
Despite its whimsical appearance, “Geegee (He had red Hair)” is a deeply political work that grapples with issues of race and power. The painting’s title is a reference to a derogatory term for black men, and the figure is a caricature of a black person. Williams has said that he created the character as a way of exploring the racist stereotypes and caricatures that have been used to dehumanize Black people throughout history.

However, Williams also imbues the figure with a sense of power and agency. Despite his exaggerated features the figure exudes a fierce energy and strength, his wild hair and expression suggesting a rebellious spirit. This spirit that the figure embodies is as if to say, he will not let his skin color be used as a weapon against him. This contrast between the lively surface and the underlying darkness is a striking aspect of this piece and William’s work in general. This piece challenges the viewer to reconsider their preconceived notions and expectations, making Williams an important voice in the contemporary art scene.
Ultimately, “Geegee (He had red Hair)” is a complex and layered work that invites multiple interpretations. On one level, it is a scathing critique of racist caricatures and stereotypes. On another, it is a celebration of Black resilience and strength in the face of oppression. On yet another, it is a playful and exuberant exploration of color, form, and symbolism. This piece is a testament to Williams’ skill as an artist and his ability to tackle difficult and nuanced subjects with wit, intelligence, and creativity.