James Sepyo

James Sepyo is a New York City-based artist, educator, printmaker and designer.

James Sepyo’s Forward was part of his 1973 exhibition Journey to Consciousness held at Weusi Nyumba Ya Sanaa Gallery and Academy of Arts and Studies in Harlem, New York. In his text for the exhibit, Sepyo describes this painting, and other exhibited works, as:

“A series of works, expressing one’s thoughts of the metaphysical, or spiritual planes of consciousness. A journey into the endless infinity of the universe, searching, ever searching the multitudes of galaxies, for signs, symbols, and color patterns, that unfold revelations directing man’s mind to his celestial Utopia, ‘THE WARM YELLOW PLANET.’  Warm, tropical, filled with mythical images and multitudes of bright yellow, red, green, orange, and blue rhythmical patterns, a place to rest one’s soul, home, mother Africa.”

Most recently, a historical clip of Sepyo painting Forward can be seen in Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s award winning documentary, Summer of Soul (2021).  

Title: Forward
Artist: James Sepyo (b. 1933)
Date: 1969
Medium: acrylic on canvas    
Dimensions: 62 x 37 inches
Accession Number: H77.64

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