Nikko Washington is a highly creative artist who uses paint to explore the human experience. His work is often colorful and expressive, with a strong focus on emotion. Nikko’s art is rooted in his own experiences, as well as those of the people around him. He strives to create paintings that capture the joy, sorrow, and laughter of life. Washington’s work has been featured in several prestigious exhibitions, and he is currently a Creatives of Color Artist at the WNDR Museum. We invite you to come to see his work and learn more about this talented artist!
Who is Nikko Washington and what does he do?
Nikko Washington is an incredible force in the creative community. Raised in Hyde Park of Chicago, Nikko has been able to combine his erudite and vibrant style into his paintings and other works. Nikko originally began working with drawing but soon realized that his true talent lay within a painting – a medium that Nikko uses expressively and naturally to create artworks with lots of motion and emotion. Additionally, Nikko got involved with graphic design and screen-printing, adding even more depth to his repertoire of expertise. Nikko has proven himself as a unique artist who can successfully capture the essence of his environment around him to create truly captivating works.
He is a designer, and painter, and his art reflects who he is as an individual. He creates everything from portraits to abstracts, and his work often deals with important social issues including gentrification which has unfortunately affected Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. He manages to find the perfect balance between erudite and fresh in his style which makes him stand out among other creatives in the city.
What inspires his work and what are some of his favorite subjects to paint?
Nikko Washington draws his artistic inspiration from witnessing a variety of experiences in life and art. He particularly loves taking a fresh look at the Black experience through different lenses and techniques. He is deeply moved by the artistry of other creators like Kerry James Marshall, Kehinde Wiley, Kadir Nelson and Glenn Ligon. He says exploring how these giants tell their stories through vivid colors, rich textures and unique perspectives is one of his favorite pastimes. You can truly feel Nikko’s raw emotion in all of his work – he takes you on a journey with each painting, allowing you to discover something new each time.
How did he get started in the art world, and how has his career progressed since then?
He comes from an artistic rooted family and his mom was an artist as well. His particular aesthetic has allowed him to excel both directly in his works as well as in his role as the artistic director for Chicago hip-hop collective Savemoney. He has worked with some of the biggest names out there, such as Nike, Chicago Cubs, Google, New Era, Soho House, and many more. He has a portfolio that is second to none and as a result of this, he continues to be a force to be reckoned with throughout the art world today.
Visit the WNDR Museum for the Creatives of Color
Nikko Washington is an artist who uses his creativity and art to tell stories, whether they be personal ones or those in society. His progress has been steady since he began creating paintings as a child and he’s shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon. With recent exhibitions like “Battle Royale”, which can be experienced at the WNDR Museum, it’s easy to see how far he’s come and why his work inspires so many people. Be sure to check out some of his work on display at the WNDR Museum and follow him online to stay updated with new releases!