Heliocentric
Heliocentric
9x15”giclee print on hotpress enhanced matte fine art paper. Original painting is watercolor and ink on 400# hotpress.
This piece was created on commission in 2017. I had a print made of it, but I never put it up for sale. There are 5 signed and numbered prints available.
Sun Ra is one of my greatest heroes in Jazz. His approach to music and life seemed to always be made on his terms in a reality of unlimited possibilities. His art is truly unique and has inspired so many people, but always, most importantly the black community. For me, his message is to expand and break free from the constructs of this reality. To not allow this American Empire to continue to hold back the rich vibrant beautiful beautiful black culture that could bring peace to a broken world…or GTFO and move to Saturn.
All proceeds go to the Philadelphia Bail Fund: https://www.phillybailfund.org/
Sun Ra had a deep impact on the Philadelphia community. Here’s a quote from wikipedia on his later years living in Germantown, Philadelphia…
Philadelphia years (1968)
In 1968, when the New York building they were renting was put up for sale, Sun Ra and the Arkestra relocated to the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Sun Ra moved into a house on Morton Street that became the Arkestra's base of operations until his death. Apart from occasional complaints about the noise of rehearsals, they were soon regarded as good neighbors because of their friendliness, drug-free living, and rapport with youngsters. The saxophonist Danny Ray Thompson owned and operated the Pharaoh's Den, a convenience store in the neighborhood. When lightning struck a tree on their street, Sun Ra took it as a good omen. James Jacson fashioned the Cosmic Infinity Drum from the scorched tree trunk. They commuted via railroad to New York for the Monday night gig at Slug's and for other engagements.
Sun Ra became a fixture in Philadelphia, appearing semi-regularly on WXPN radio, giving lectures to community groups, or visiting the city's libraries. In the mid-1970s, the Arkestra sometimes played free Saturday afternoon concerts in a Germantown park near their home. At their mid-1970s shows in Philadelphia nightclubs, someone stood at the back of the room, selling stacks of unmarked LPs in plain white sleeves, pressed from recordings of the band's live performances.
Please allow extra time for shipping as I am taking limited trips to post office a week during Pandemic. Thank you!