Collection: Jess Owens-Young Collection

Jess Owens-Young is a self-taught, multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the rich and varied experiences of Black individuals in America. After taking an art class at her local community center, Owens-Young found a new passion and has since cultivated her craft, creating art that emphasizes the resilience and joy of Black people as well as the essence of Black childhood.

Working primarily with acrylics, oil pastels, oil pigment sticks, and acrylic inks on canvas, Jess creates vibrant pieces that include portraiture, figurative painting, and collage. Her art is marked by recurring symbols that add depth and personal meaning. The happy face hat represents the projection and maintenance of happiness, while glasses seen on her notable figures reflect her perspective on the perception of Black narratives and bodies. The colorful flowers within her works highlight the restorative connection Black people have with agriculture through flowers and gardens. Owens-Young draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists, including William H. Johnson, Elizabeth Catlett, EmoryDouglas, Delta Martin, Henry Taylor, Deborah Roberts, and Alice Neel. Literary influences such as Octavia Butler and Toni Morrison also shape her artistic vision.