#theaster

‘Black Art: In the Absence of Light’ Reveals a History of Neglect

Advertisement Continue reading the main story Supported by Continue reading the main story Critic’s Pick ‘Black Art: In the Absence of Light’ Reveals a History of Neglect An HBO documentary explores two centuries of art by African-Americans, and the path they forged for contemporary Black artists. Kerry James Marshall’s ‘‘Untitled (Studio)’’ (2014) appears in “Black Art: In the Absence of…

Art Review When Gates opens a gap between how something is perceived and what it is, he does not simply make a connection for the viewer — he invites self-reflection. John Yau December 3, 2025 — 5 min read Installation view of Theaster Gates’s Oh, You’ve Got to Come Back to the City at Gray Gallery (photo courtesy Gray Gallery, Chicago/New York) CHICAGO — Theaster Gates dissolves the boundaries…

1973 Chicago, Illinois, United States

Currently lives and works in Chicago

Education

1996 Iowa State University, B.S. Urban Planning, Ceramics

1998 University of Cape Town, M.A. Fine Arts, Religious Studies

2006 Iowa State University, M.S. Urban Planning, Ceramics, Religious Studie

Exhibitions (selected)

2017

In the Tower, National Gallery of Art, Washington, USA

Tarry Skies and Psalms for Now, White Cube, Hong Kong

2016

But To Be A Poor Race, Regen Projects, Los Angeles

2015

Sanctum, Situations, Bristol

Freedom of Assembly, White Cube London

This semester I had several friends who were defending their thesis projects. I decided to make a plush for everyone based off of characters or creatures in their thesis and give them to them as presents after their defenses. And we called it Theaster (thesis + easter)

This one is the fortress form of the Ancestor from @rdunsmuir ‘s thesis comic called Gloom. 

I used my friend’s art as references to design all of the patterns for these plushies, all credit for character design for the Ancestor goes to @rdunsmuir

This semester I had several friends who were defending their thesis projects. I decided to make a plush for everyone based off of characters or creatures in their thesis and give them to them as presents after their defenses. And we called it Theaster (thesis + easter)

Phil the ugly unicorn is the creation of @hungry-canadian , the plush is based off of her signature doodle of the unicorn’s head and hoof -- and I had to build the rest from there. 

I used my friend’s art as references to design all of the patterns for these plushies, all credit for the inspiration for this beautiful ugly unicorn goes to @hungry-canadian

This semester I had several friends who were defending their thesis projects. I decided to make a plush for everyone based off of characters or creatures in their thesis and give them to them as presents after their defenses. And we called it Theaster (thesis + easter)

This one is from @jelli-illus ‘s thesis comic Slice of Life -- a comic about a college student who becomes a part-time grim reaper. He’s actually the main character’s future dog companion Graham Cracker. Go check out her art!

I used my friend’s art as references to design all of the patterns for these plushies, all credit for character design for Graham Cracker goes to @jelli-illus.