Prophesied

Prophesied is a dedication to James “Yaya” Hough, mentor to the artist, Russell Craig.

artist Russell Craig

Prophesied © 2020 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Russell Craig, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.

Project Images 

  • Prophesied dedication, and Rendering Justice opening event the African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street, October 28, 2020. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Russell Craig works on his portrait of James "Yaya" Hough at the Mural Arts studio at 915 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Russell Craig works on his portrait of James "Yaya" Hough at the Mural Arts studio at 915 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Russell Craig works on his portrait of James "Yaya" Hough at the Mural Arts studio at 915 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Russell Craig works on his portrait of James "Yaya" Hough at the Mural Arts studio at 915 Spring Garden Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.

  • Prophesied © 2020 City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program / Russell Craig, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street. Photo by Steve Weinik.

About the Project 

Prophesied is a dedication to James “Yaya” Hough, mentor to the artist, Russell Craig. Hough’s mentorship of Craig began while they were incarcerated together at Graterford Prison. This powerful portrait is made of leather bags sewn together, and painted in Hough’s likeness. When you look closer, you find miniature, multimedia portraits of Yaya and other Black men throughout, representing the many iterations of the subject throughout his 27 years in prison. The patchwork of dismembered leather bags sourced from a former inmate and friend of Russell is tough and tanned, intended to call attention to the oppression and brutality from law enforcement, and mass incarceration Black people face in the United States. Russell enjoys the play of different materials – not just the physical application of paint with brush, but also the narrative and meaning of those materials.

Sponsors 

Art for Justice Fund
City of Philadelphia
National Endowment for the Arts

Partner 

The African American Museum in Philadelphia

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