JONTE'
DREW
Jonte' is a visual artist from Paterson, New Jersey. He attended William Paterson University, where he received both a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2018 and a Master of Fine Arts in 2021. Jonte's style utilizes humor to investigate shared experiences of African Americans, the commodification of urban culture and the conversations surrounding mental health. His paintings and drawings often feature himself and other Black individuals in the midst of colorful and idealized environments. In addition, he places an emphasis on the humanity of his subjects by placing them in various scenes of leisure and domesticity in their plight of finding serenity and joy, while challenging the critical portrayal of masculinity and physicality as it relates to the common perceptions of Black men.
Solo Exhibitions
2022 “Take a Breath”, Pro Arts Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
2021 “In Green Pastures”, William Paterson University, NJ
Group Exhibitions
2024 "Foundations", Artsy
2024 "Admiration", Tanya Weddemire Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2023 “The Gigantic Miniature Show”, Deepspace Gallery, Jersey City, NJ
2023 “Art of the Culture”, Femme Curator Arts, Newark, NJ
2023 “Black Boy Art Show”, Brooklyn, NY
2023 “Black Art in the Sun”, Art in the Atrium, Morristown, NJ
2023 “All Eyes On Us, Jersey City, NJ
2022 “Tell Me More About Yourself”, Gallery Aferro, Newark, NJ
2022 “Revealing The Beauty Within”, Village One Art Gallery, New York, NY
2022 “From Where I Stand”, Akwaaba Gallery, Newark, NJ
2022 “Fire and Soul” Heath Gallery, Harlem, NJ
2021 “Art Fair 14C Annual Art Fair”, The Glass at Mana, Jersey City, NJ
2020 “Trap Art Exhibition”, The Art Factory, Paterson, NJ
2019 “Rutgers University School of Science & Art Show, Newark, NJ
2019 “The Brightest Light is Black”, Newark, NJ
2018 “Here/Now: Student Art Show”, William Paterson University, NJ
2017 “Here/Now: Student Art Show”, William Paterson University, NJ
2016 “Here/Now: Student Art Show”, William Paterson University, NJ
2013 “Passaic County Community College Student Art Show”, Paterson, NJ
2012 “Passaic County Technical Institute Senior Art Exhibition”, Wayne, NJ
Commissions
2023 Essence Carson Basketball Court Mural, NJ
2019 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park Mural, NJ
2017 City of Paterson Community Garden Mural, NJ
Press
Alban, Rachel. “Artist Jonte Drew on Feeling like a ‘Black Sheep’ and the Power of Arts Education.” JerseyArts.com Features, JerseyArts.com Features, 5 Nov. 2021, https://jerseyartsfeatures.com/content/2021/11/5/jonte-drew-art-fair-14cs-resident-artist-on-feeling-like-a-black-sheep-and-the-power-of-arts-education.
Little, Courtney. “Jonte Drew Is Art Fair 14C’s Next Resident Artist.” Art House Productions, Inc., 23 June 2021, www.arthouseproductions.org/blogs/news/jonte-drew-14c-resident-artist.