Derrick Adams: Situation Comedy at Gagosian Davies Street, London

The recently closed exhibition Situation Comedy at Gagosian Davies Street, London, presented a vibrant and thought-provoking body of work by Derrick Adams, an artist celebrated for his exploration of contemporary Black identity, culture, and leisure. Through his dynamic paintings, Adams delved into the intersections of pop culture, humour, and historical narratives, offering a fresh perspective on Black Americana.

Derrick Adams: Artist and Visionary

Born in 1970 in Baltimore, Derrick Adams has built a multifaceted practice that spans painting, sculpture, collage, video, and public art. Drawing inspiration from Cubism, Pop Art, and African art traditions, Adams constructs figures and scenes using bold colours, geometric planes, and fabric collages. His work frequently examines themes of Black joy, representation, and the influence of media and commercial imagery on identity.

In Situation Comedy, Adams took inspiration from television sitcoms and cinema, using humour as a lens to explore both everyday life and deeper socio-political themes. The works in the exhibition presented characters engaged in ordinary moments, yet layered with cultural references, nostalgia, and commentary on Black experiences in America and beyond.
One of Adams’s signature techniques is his use of seriocomic storytelling, where elements of comedy intertwine with profound reflections on history and society. This juxtaposition allows his art to be both entertaining and deeply meaningful, highlighting the complexities of Black life in contemporary culture.

Notable Artworks from the Exhibition

Among the standout pieces in Situation Comedy was Baked In (2024), which reimagined a classic American picnic scene with a striking metaphor: a Black man’s body is partially enveloped by a pie, referencing themes of consumption and national identity. The painting cleverly played with notions of celebration and erasure, making a powerful statement on Black presence in American history.
Getting the Bag (2024) offered a modern reinterpretation of the cowboy archetype. Featuring a Black figure holding an eagle that clutches a Telfar handbag, the painting engaged with ideas of consumerism, status, and historical narratives, challenging conventional depictions of power and success.
Another compelling work, Fantastic Voyage (2024), depicted a genie-like figure within a glowing ceramic face vessel—an allusion to African artistic traditions and 19th-century Black potters in the American South. By linking contemporary imagery with historical artefacts, Adams underscored the enduring cultural contributions of Black artists.

Derrick Adams and the Evolution of Black Art

Throughout his career, Adams has remained committed to portraying Black life beyond struggle, focusing instead on leisure, self-expression, and resilience. His Floaters series (2016–2020), for instance, depicted Black figures relaxing on inflatables in water, a celebration of joy as a radical act. Similarly, his Style Variation paintings explored self-adornment and personal identity through depictions of wigged mannequin heads.

Public art has also been a significant part of Adams’s practice. Notable projects include Around the Way (2019), a stained-glass installation in Brooklyn, and Our Time Together (2021), a large-scale mural at the Milwaukee Art Museum honouring Black community spaces. His influence extends into activism, with initiatives like the Last Resort Artist Retreat, a Baltimore-based residency focused on leisure as therapy for Black creatives.

Collecting Derrick Adams’s Work

As Derrick Adams’s reputation continues to grow, so does the demand for his artwork among collectors and institutions. His pieces, which merge fine art with cultural storytelling, have been acquired by major museums and private collectors worldwide.
For those interested in buying or selling Derrick Adams’s works, Lougher offers expert advice and sourcing services. Whether you are a seasoned collector or new to the contemporary art market, our team can assist in navigating this dynamic landscape.

The Situation Comedy exhibition may have closed, but its impact resonates, reinforcing Derrick Adams’s position as one of the most important voices in contemporary Black art. His ability to balance humour, history, and cultural critique ensures that his work remains both relevant and highly sought after.