Ultra Silk Gallery
3808 Lancaster Avenue
Philadelphia Pa 1904
RAMSESS Biography:
Chance encounters often produce wondrous results. As a young man, Ramsess watched a documentary on the life of Paul Robeson and in that instant, an artist emerged. With his newfound interest and God-given talent, Ramsess studied art with assistance from the L.A. Times Art Department. A quiet self-effacing man with unassuming ways, a ready wit, and a loud booming laugh that takes one by surprise, Ramsess prefers to let his work speak for itself. On rare occasions when he speaks of his work, a serious turn of mind is revealed.
For almost 30 years, Los Angeles-based Ramsess has been an artist working in various media – pen and ink, acrylics, oils, watercolors, stained and etched glass, sculpture, mosaics, and textiles. His mastery is displayed in portraiture, abstract, and caricature. He began quilting in 2010, producing a wide range of quilts and wall hangings. He produces Jazz and African-American historical calendars, note cards, and wearable art. In addition to illustrating his own series of coloring books, he recently illustrated a book authored by drummer Terri Lyne Carrington.
Ramsess has participated in regional exhibitions in California including but not limited to, The Skirball Cultural Center, Art and Practice, The Brockman Gallery, The Watts Towers, Sargent Gallery, First African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival. Nationally at the Colorado Art Jazz Festival, Telluride Jazz Fest, New Orleans Jazz Festival, Jacksonville and Clearwater Jazz Festivals, Association of Jazz Educators, WGBO radio, and the famed St. Peter’s Church in NYC. His work has appeared on numerous television shows and films, most recently Issa Rae’s Insecure. Globally in South Africa, Tokyo, Leningrad, Frankfurt, Paris, Montreal, and Barcelona and Montreal.
The collections of Anna Marie Horsford, Samuel L. Jackson, Dianne Reeves, Baltimore Museum of Art, Glynn Turman, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Clifford Brown Jr., Marshall Allen (Sun Ra), Santana, Cindy Blackman, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Meshell Ndegeocello,
Although the list of collectors and exhibits is impressive, Ramsess is equally grateful and humbled by the everyday customer who purchases his cards, calendars, coloring books, and wearable art. He sees their appreciation for his work on par with and as esteemed as the collectors of note.
Ultra Silk Gallery Series featuring RamsessJust giving you the list of acknowledgments that were involved in this exhibition1. Ms. Rashida Watson and Ms. Kenya ( of Ultra Silk Gallery)2. Ramesess (Artist)3. Asake Denise Jones (whatever title she gave)These are organizations present that should be Acknowledged: The Colored Girls Museum, Tanner House, Chris Roger’s
