Mercy (from the Gang Series)
Artist
Dennis O. Callwood
(American, b. 1942)
CultureAmerican
Date1994-2007
MediumChromogenic print
DimensionsOverall, Image: 34 1/2 × 27 1/2 in. (87.6 × 69.9 cm)
Overall, Frame: 44 1/2 × 34 1/2 × 2 1/2 in. (113 × 87.6 × 6.4 cm)
Overall, Frame: 44 1/2 × 34 1/2 × 2 1/2 in. (113 × 87.6 × 6.4 cm)
InscribedThe wood frame has been inscribed on all edges with colorful graffiti.
Credit LineMuseum purchase, in memory of Alice R. and Sol B. Frank, gift of Gerald Sprayregen
Object number2007.14
Not on view
DescriptionThis chromogenic print is of a young African-American man with dread locks. He is looking out at the viewer. Surrounding his photograph is colorful graffiti. The frame is also covered in colorful graffiti.Label 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. ProvenanceCharles Isaacs Photographs, Inc. New York City, New York; Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia, Museum purchase, in memory of Alice R. and Sol B. Frank, gift of Gerald Sprayregen, 2007 Exhibition History"Photography Los Angeles Now," Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California, 1996. "Remix: A Fresh Look At Our Modern And Contemporary Art Collections," Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia, November 2, 2011 - March 17, 2012.Published ReferencesDavid Schonauer, magazine blog for "American Photo" (April 16, 2007) http://stateoftheart.popphoto.com/blog/2007/04/at_aipad_more_g.html.;
