Guy Hepner Gallery

Derrick Adams How I Spent My Summer (Set of 9) For Sale

Derrick Adams
Derrick Adams - How I Spent My Summer (Set of 9), 2021, Screen prints with collage
Hand signed in pencil

How I Spent My Summer (Set of 9), 2021

Screen prints with collage Hand signed in pencil

18 x 18 in (each) 45.7 x 45.7 cm (each)

Edition

Edition of 20

About this work

Derrick Adams’ How I Spent My Summer is a vibrant and joyful suite of prints celebrating leisure, identity, and the Black experience through the lens of summertime relaxation. Composed of nine panels arranged in a grid, the series captures swimmers, pool floats, and playful objects floating against bright blue water. Each image radiates warmth and nostalgia, transforming ordinary moments of recreation into affirmations of presence, freedom, and self-expression. Adams, known for his exploration of Black joy and everyday life, uses bold color, flattened form, and rhythmic composition to evoke a sense of calm and contentment. The subjects—figures wearing patterned swim caps, inflatable toys shaped like unicorns and ducks, and a colorful ice pop—become symbols of individuality and delight. The repetition of blue creates unity, while each vignette feels distinct, reflecting different moods and personalities within a shared cultural space. Through How I Spent My Summer, Adams reclaims scenes of leisure that have historically excluded Black representation, turning them into affirmations of belonging and celebration. The series invites viewers to pause, smile, and reflect on the beauty of simple pleasures—floating, laughing, cooling off on a hot day—and to recognize them as moments of empowerment and cultural significance. For more information on Derrick Adam's How I spent my Summer, contact our galleries using the enquiry form below.

Price on Application

Auction History

Derrick Adams - How I Spent My Summer

How I Spent My Summer · Derrick Adams · Phillips · 2024-04 · $40,640

More from this series

More series by Derrick Adams

About the Style Variation Series

The Style Variation series represents a pivotal moment in Derrick Adams' artistic practice, showcasing his distinctive exploration of contemporary leisure, identity, and social commentary. This compelling collection features works including Parlay 3, How I Spent My Summer, and the ambitious nine-part photographic suite, alongside pieces such as Mirroring Idealism and This Could All Be Yours. Adams employs layered photographic and collage techniques to deconstruct poolside scenes and recreational spaces, revealing nuanced observations about aspiration, belonging, and cultural representation. The series demonstrates the artist's trademark ability to transform everyday moments into profound meditations on class, race, and desire within American consumer culture. Each work in Style Variation—from the pixie and space buns variations to additional conceptual pieces—reflects Adams' meticulous attention to composition and psychological depth. Highly sought after by serious collectors, works from this series have established themselves as significant markers of contemporary photography and conceptual art practice. Enquire for availability and pricing details.

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How I Spent My Summer (Set of 9)

About Derrick Adams

Derrick Adams has emerged as a formidable presence in the contemporary art market, consistently commanding significant prices at auction and demonstrating robust growth in collector demand. His works are highly sought after by institutions and private collectors alike, driven by his distinctive aesthetic and profound thematic engagement.

View all works →