"Colin Kaepernick" 2017 by Victor Rae

Colin Kaepernick’s decision of take a stand and protest police brutality in the United States has suddenly taken away his ability to work in a sport he loves and earn a living. “Kaepernick's protest of unquestionable abuse of power by police killing blacks made this image an obvious choice for our time. It embodies much more than sports. He is symbolic of a stand against injustice but he is also the sacrificial scapegoat.” —Victor Rae 

In this 2017 portrait “Colin Kaepernick” Victor Rae’s digital painting (60 x 60 inches) of Kaepernick, a former American football quarterback who has actively protested systemic racism, encapsulates Kaepernick’s compelling stance of defiance. As a premier colorist, Rae uses lines and brushstrokes of vibrant color to exude a cocktail of power and moodiness. Rae’s brave use of red on red, fires up feelings of Kaepernick’s voice.

Created on an iPad Rae’s work brings a fine art aesthetic to his digital art. Close inspection of this painting’s details reveals the movement of Rae’s spontaneous brush strokes, textures, and richly textured background.

Biography:

Victor Rae, an American digital artist, creates brilliantly colored paintings and spontaneous line drawings by fashioning his unique fusion of illustration with the sensibility of today’s graphic novels and street art. RAE has created artwork on his iPhone while he was on the NYC Subway and walking around the City.  

From the 1980s to today, Rae has a distinct graphic signature producing intriguing artworks using the latest digital technologies. Rae has created works on the Wacom tablet, Palm Pilot and continues to experiment using various apps on the iPhone and iPad. As a premier colorist, Rae uses lines and brushstrokes of vibrant color to exude a twist of surrealism and moodiness. Rae’s work brings a fine art aesthetic to his digital art, reminiscent of Pablo Picasso’s line drawings and LeRoy Neiman’s colorful prints. RAE said, “When you look at a shape it has a certain impact on you because of its size, shape, color, texture. All of those things are very personal. It may not be appealing to someone else, but it appeals to me.”

Artwork Information: A 60 X 60 large-format digital painting printed later via Latex ink on archival canvas, ready to hang. BUY ON ARTSY. Comes with a Certificateof Authenticity, delivery to your gallery, home or office: https://www.artsy.net/artwork/victor-rae-colin-kaepernick-large-canvas-edition

Note: In ESPN’s Howard Bryant's new book on Colin Kaepernick, Full Dissidents, Notes from An Uneven Playing Field, he states, “To be black is to be a dissident,”… “African Americans are ‘renters’ not ‘owners’ in America … they are constantly told ‘if you don't like it, leave’ their own country.” The current reaction of scorn for Kaepernick reminds us of the ridicule, disdain, and rejection experienced by Cassius Clay when he converted to Islam, became Muhammad Ali, and refused to fight the white man’s war in Vietnam. African American men without power who advocate for black people, risk it ALL when they stand against the abuses of power.

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