Mercy (from the Gang Series)
Artist
Dennis O. Callwood
(American, b. 1942)
Date1994-2007
MediumChromogenic print
DimensionsOverall, Image: 34 1/2 × 27 1/2 in. (87.6 × 69.9 cm)
Overall, Frame: 44 1/2 x 34 1/2 in. (113 x 87.6 cm)
Overall, Frame: 44 1/2 x 34 1/2 in. (113 x 87.6 cm)
ClassificationsPhotography
Credit LineMuseum purchase, in memory of Alice R. and Sol B. Frank, gift of Gerald Sprayregen
Object number2007.14
Terms
- African-American Artist
- Gang
- Dreadlocks
- Graffiti
- Black
- White
- Red
- Blue
- Green
- Purple
- Orange
- Yellow
On View
Not on viewLabel TextDennis O. Callwood American (b. 1942) Mercy (from the Gang series), 2004–07 Chromogenic print on Sintra mount, in unique graffiti frame Museum purchase in memory of Alice R. and Sol B. Frank, gift of Gerald Sprayregen 2007.14 Artist Dennis Callwood directs the arts program at the Challenger Memorial Youth Center, a rehabilitative program in Lancaster, California. In a unique collaboration with the youths in the program, Callwood photographed his subject, Mercier, who embellished his portrait by applying his own tagging, or spray-painted design, to the image. The members of Mercier’s gang, Can’t Hold Back or CHBK, added designs to the frame. Trained by renowned photographer Garry Winogrand at University of Southern California, Callwood’s practices confuse the boundaries between trained and untrained artists as well as fine and street art. The portraits allow the sitters and their fellow gang members to portray themselves as they desire and penetrate the exclusive art world on their own terms.
