Nikko Washington looks like any other student coming in to Café Logan on the University of Chicago campus to grab a bite between classes. But the 25-year-old finished his studies at the School of the Art Institute three years ago. And there’s another difference: the oil paintings on the wall are all by Washington, together comprising an exhibit called 53 ’til Infinity, on display through March 31. These are his most recent works, mostly portraits, all characterized by bold colors and the serious but joyous expressions on the subjects’ faces.
“My mom drew a mural of Space Jam on my wall,” he recalls. “It was very detailed. I was five years old, and I just knew that that was art somehow, and I could draw that.”
Stiff is one of ten paintings Washington made that focus on black expression. These include subjects that have often been depicted as white: for example, a Madonna and child, Adam and Eve.
The title of the painting, Washington says, was intended as sarcastic. “It’s from Thank You for Shopping [plastic] bags, because that’s where it all comes from, retail, shopping, and consumerism,” he explains. “But it’s also ‘thank you’ because if that didn’t happen, I wouldn’t be in the [Café Logan] show. Because they’re looking to connect more with the community.”
While they’re all busier these days than when they were kids, with everything from music projects to their own families, the Save Money crew makes time to create together and even go bowling. (Of the group, Washington would say he and the rapper Kami are the two best bowlers.)
“The best response I got was people saying, ‘This was my excuse to finally come down to Hyde Park,’” Washington says with a slight smile. “Or ‘I’ve never been down here. Now I have a reason to come down here.’” v
Through 3/31: Mon-Sat 8 AM-10 PM, Sun 11 AM-9 PM, Café Logan, 915 E. 60th, 773-702-2787, arts.uchicago.edu. F
