D-E recently welcomed artist Jonte Drew, son of D-E Math Teacher Dena Silver, to campus for a reception celebrating “Full Bloom,” the latest exhibition in the Swartley Gallery Series. Featuring vibrant portraits of Black men from across the African diaspora, Jonte’s work explores the intersections of masculinity, cultural identity, vulnerability, and nature.
Working primarily in oil, acrylic, and pastel, Jonte incorporates botanical imagery into his portraits, depicting subjects wearing “floral durags” adorned with flowers and plants native to their ancestral homelands. A portrait of a Haitian man, for example, features hibiscus flowers, while others reflect connections to Jamaica and Panama.
The collection, which spans several years of the artist’s work, grew out of his examination of societal expectations surrounding masculinity and his desire to create space for softness and vulnerability. As Jonte explained, the work is about “connecting with nature with ties to Black cultural heritage.”
Reflecting on the opportunity to share his work with new audiences, Jonte said, “Seeing people connect with my work has been really special.” Thank you to Jonte for sharing his artistry and perspective with the D-E community! “Full Bloom” is on view in Swartley Gallery through November 30.