Solitude Series I
/Solitude: In A Landscape / is a celebration of bucolic beauty within an urban oasis, yearning for comfort and the nostalgic pleasures of enjoying nature made in reaction to the chaos of 2020. The past is presented in a series of photographs on diaphanous textiles ,offering a paused glimpse back in time. A personal collection of wind chimes placed in the trees ,whirl the song of the wind, a resonance to encourage visceral intuitive alignment .
“Pure expression of humanity reveals the delicate nature of life, the vulnerability of freedom and will to allow nostalgia to inspire abundant growth.
-Najee Wilson
This program is made possible by the New York City Artist Corps in partnership with Brooklyn Greenway Initiative, The Naval Cemetery Landscape, developed by BGI and opened to the public in 2016, is an award-winning 1.7-acre contemplative memorial landscape and pollinator habitat. The site was designed to provide local residents and other visitors with a respite from the stresses of urban life while adding vital open space and native plant habitat to a park-starved area of Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the development, establishment and long-term stewardship of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway – a 26-mile protected and landscaped route for pedestrians and cyclists of all ages and abilities that, when complete, will connect Brooklyn’s storied and iconic waterfront, parks and open space, commercial and cultural corridors, and new tech and innovation hubs for 2.65 million Brooklyn residents, over 1.1 million people who work in Brooklyn, and more than 15 million annual visitors from across the City and around the world.
Film (Background). Solitude: In A Landscape, Part III,On The Rocks Runtime 6 mins, 1080p
Experience the Virtual Tour for Solitude:In A Landscape on view via Youtube
Solitude: In A Landscape, On Exhibition August 26- September 2, 2021. Presented in partnership with The Naval Cemetery Landscape and Brooklyn Greenway Initiative.
Exhibition Map
Installation View- 1.Study for Dynamic Peace (Self Portrait 16), 2020
1. Najee Wilson (b.1987)
Study for Dynamic Peace (Self Portrait 16), 2020
Pigmented Inkjet Print on Silk Georgette
Mounted on Oversized Steel Powder Coated Shepherd’s Hooks
Dimensions variable
Installation View- 2.Frost Aster in Bloom (Perspective in Time), 2020
2. Najee Wilson (b.1987)
Frost Aster in Bloom (Perspective in Time), 2020
Pigmented Inkjet Print on Silk Georgette
Mounted on Oversized Steel Powder Coated Shepherd’s Hooks
Dimensions variable
Installation View- 3.Unspoken Emotion (Self Portrait 33) , 2020
3. Najee Wilson (b.1987)
Unspoken Emotion (Self Portrait 33) , 2020
Pigmented Inkjet Print on Ripstop Nylon
Mounted on Oversized Steel Powder Coated Shepherd’s Hooks
Dimensions variable
Installation View- 4.Pareidolia Study I ( Sacred Grove), 2021
4. Najee Wilson (b.1987)
Pareidolia Study I ( Sacred Grove), 2021
Pigmented Inkjet Print on Ripstop Nylon
Mounted on Oversized Steel Powder Coated Shepherd’s Hooks
Dimensions variable
Installation View- 5.Passage III, 2020
5. Najee Wilson (b.1987)
Passage III, 2020
Pigmented Inkjet Print on Ripstop Nylon
Mounted on Oversized Steel Powder Coated Shepherd’s Hooks
Dimensions Variable
Installation View- 6.Study for Dynamic Peace (Self Portrait 11), 2020
6. Najee Wilson (b.1987)
Study for Dynamic Peace (Self Portrait 11), 2020
Pigmented Inkjet Print on Silk Georgette
Mounted on Oversized Steel Powder Coated Shepherd’s Hooks
Dimensions variable
Installation View- 7. Helianthus Sanctuary ( Self Portrait 52), 2020
7. Najee Wilson (b.1987)
Helianthus Sanctuary ( Self Portrait 52), 2020
Pigmented Inkjet Print on Silk Georgette
Mounted on Oversized Steel Powder Coated Shepherd’s Hooks Dimensions variable
About:
The plant is part of a genus named Helianthus that actually comprises roughly 70 different species. Almost all are native to Central and North America. The sunflower’s name comes from its tendency to reposition itself to face the sun. It’s genus, Helianthus, is rooted in two Greek words — “helios” meaning sun and “anthos” meaning flower. The ancient Greek myth of Apollo and Clytie is one explanation of why sunflowers turn towards the sun. Najee is pictured among many Helianthus strumosus (Woodland Sunflower), facing the viewer.
Installation View- 8.Helianthus/Viburnum in Bloom (Perspective in Time) , 2020
8. Najee Wilson (b.1987)
Helianthus/Viburnum in Bloom (Perspective in Time) , 2020
Pigmented Inkjet Print on Ripstop Nylon
Mounted on Oversized Steel Powder Coated Shepherd’s Hooks
Dimensions variable
Installation View- 9.Study for Dynamic Peace (Ascended), 2020
9. Najee Wilson (b.1987)
Study for Dynamic Peace (Ascended), 2020
Pigmented Inkjet on Ripstop Nylon
Mounted on Oversized Steel Powder Coated Shepherd’s Hooks
Dimensions variable
Corinthian Bells- Hand Tuned WindChimes A,C and E scales, Powder Coated Aluminum (Laser Engraved-Solitude: In A Landscape, Najee Wilson, Naval Cemetery Landscape, 2021)
Please Contact najeewilson@gmail.com for Sales Inquries.
click the logo below to view clips from the Opening Event on August 26th
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Najee Wilson, is an Interdisciplinary Artist based in Brooklyn New York whose work is interwoven with Intuitive Movement, Film, Photography,Textile and the ready made as medium. Najee’s work Primarily explores ephemerality and gaze as a means of self discovery.
Education
Savannah College Of Art and Design, BFA Interior Design and Architecture 2009
Musings/ Collaborations
Lynceus , Sculpture Plaster and Wood ,Miguel Del Rey, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Muse 2018
Cross Hairs, Acrylic on Canvas, Gordon Shadrach, Muse 2019
Memento , Acrylic on Canvas, Gordon Shadrach, Muse 2019
Rumors of War, Patinated Bronze and Limestone, Kehinde Wiley, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts , Sitter/Muse 2019
Black Skin/Shibori Mask-BS/SM (Series)- Photographer Justin French, Model Tariq, 2017
THIS PLACE NYC , Muse, 2017-Present
Grand Central Atelier , Fine Art Muse, 2017-2019
New York Academy of Art , Fine Art Muse 2019-2020
Muses (film) , Film by Najee Wilson, Featuring Yumemi, Lila and Pearl,Music by Carela, Meditating for Black Lives, End of Season Finale Celebration, Runtime 4 mins, November 2020
Solitude: In A Landscape, Self Portrait Film, Runtime 54 mins. 2020
Alice Coltrane, Kirtan: Turiya Sings, Visualizer by Justin French, Hand dyed Backdrops, Backdrop Artist , Runtime 1:02:16, Verve Records, 2021
Re-Edition Magazine, Topaz Jones Editorial, Backdrop Artist, May 2021
Movement
200 hr Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor, Ashtanga, Iygengar and Rocket Yoga, 2020
Guest Teacher Series, The Practice Linda Lopes,Root To Rise- 60 min Virtual Yoga Class, November, 2020
Guest Teacher Series, Ganesh Space,Chakra Flow-60 min Virtual Yoga Class, May 2021
Oak & Palm Movement With Najee, Yoga Practice,Small Group and Private Clients, 2021
Heal Haus, Yoga Practitioner, Ashtanga,Iygengar and Rocket Yoga, 2021
Design
Calico Wallpaper, Creative Director/ Product Designer,Wabi,Night,Willow,Aurora,Brasscloth, Lunaris,Inverted Spaces,, Brooklyn NY, 2013-2016
Exhibitions/Installations
Converse Rubbertracks, Recording Artist in Resident, Taupe Y Beige, 2016-2017
Black Skin/Shibori Mask-BS/SM, Mix Medium Installation ,BLK Design X NYC Design Week June 2018
Highly Viscous Various Materials- Buy Some Damn Art (Online Exhibition) September 2018
Black Skin/Shibori Mask(BS/SM) The New Black Vanguard - Photography Between Art and Fashion Aperture Foundation- October 2019
Blaze of Glory-BS/SM, Mix Medium Installation, In Support of Boutique, 2019
An Evening With Muses- Sessions and Gallery Show, Yumemi Arai (collaborator) ,Artist Residency, Ace Hotel NYC Fall 2019
Solitude:In A Landscape,Art Installation/Film Screening,Live Sound Bath Performed by Ben Brown, Naval Cemetery Landscape, Brooklyn NY, 2021
Talks/Lectures/Labs
Listen & Heal Stories of Healing in the BIPOC Community, Hosted by Ganesh SPACE, Febuary 2021
The Gaze as Inspiration- Pattern Brands Artist Talks, Emmett Shine, October 2020
Podcast Race Capitol - Meet The Muse behind the Monument, Chelsea Higgs Wise, Moderator Jasmine Marley, December 2019
Computer Technology Week Virginia- Children’s Science Museum , Code VA ,Richmond VA December 2019
Central Park II School, Guest Speaker , Representation in Art- Rumors of War Q&A Harlem, NY 2019
Binford Middle School- Guest Speaker-Representation In Art- Richmond VA December 2019
The Black Iris- Najee, Artist Inspirations . Richmond VA, December 2019
Candela Gallery- In Conversation With Najee Wilson Richmond VA. December 2019
Costuming/Styling
Kalup Linzy As Da Art World Might Turn , Backdrop Artist, 2013
Kalup Linzy Live: Art Jobs and Lullabies , Costume Designer, Joe’s Pub, 2014
Capsule Collection- Print All Over Me X Calico Wallpaper X Sword Smith Brooklyn 2015
Fusilier- Dueling EP Cover, Hand Dyed Mask, 2018
Black Skin Shibori Mask , Photographic Portrait Series (w/Justin French) 2017
The Hip Hop Nutcracker, Tapped Performance at New Jersey Center of Performing Arts , Snowflake Costumes, Costume Designer 2019
The Curfew, Stage Dance Performance,The Joyce Theatre NYC, Costume Designer, 2019
A Better Half, Short Film ,Dark Comedy ,Costumer Designer 2019
Music- Singer Songwriter
Move Your Body, Music by Taupe Y Beige, Singer/ Songwriter, Violet & Violet Productions 2018
Look and See, Music By Taupe Y Beige , Singer/Songwriter , Vibe Inn Productions 2017
Lament Marathon- LP , Singer /Songwriter , Violet & Violet Productions
Unpublished Album 2020
Awards/Acknowledgements
First Artist to Create a Site Specific Art Installation at The Naval Cemetery Landscape, Solitude: In A Landscape, 2021
New York City Artist Corps Grantee, Solitude: In A Landscape, 2021
Honored by Richmond City Council, Councilwoman,Kimberly B. Gray-Arts Education Welcoming Rumors of War, December 2019
Architizer Award 2015 Popular Choice - Wall-coverings -Best In Show Calico Wallpaper
Architectural Digest- Innovative Booth Design Spring 2015 (Calico Wallpaper)
Past Exhibitions
Architectural Digest Home Show February 2013-2014
International Contempoary Furniture Fair, 2013-15
Salone De Mobile, Spazio Rossana Orlandi Milan, Calico Wallpaper X BCXSY, Inverted Spaces April 2015
London Design Week Mallett 150th Anniversary September 2015
Sight Unseen Offsite May 2013 & 2014
Kips Bay Showhouse April 2015
Media
They Seem Cool: Najee Wilson, The Cut, Editor Devine Blacksher, Photography Director Liane Radel, Fashion Direction Rebecca Ramsey, August 2020
An Evening With Muses, Art This Week: Sci-fi Meets Reality and Holiday Shows, Cassidy Graves, Bedford and Bowery, December 2019
Making New Histories: Rumors Of War Sculpture Unveiled In Richmond | VPM
NPR News
Richmond Replaces Confederate Statue With One Of Black Man | Black America
Web
Richmond middle school students meet man who helped inspire ‘Rumors of War’ sculpture NBC 12
Race Capitol- Meet The Muse Behind the Monument- Chelsea Higgs Wise, Moderator Jasmine Marley, Richmond Va. 2019
Muse who inspired ‘Rumors of War’ speaks to Richmond students | WTVR.com
London Design Festival: The Art of making Innovative Wallpaper By Brooke Bobb, Vogue Online, 2015
