Prints
1 work
Derrick Adams Self Portrait on Float For Sale
Derrick Adams
Self Portrait on Float, 2019
Woodblock, gold leaf and collage Hand signed and numbered
40 x 40 in 101.6 x 101.6 cm
Edition
Edition: of 50
About this work
Derrick Adams’ Self-Portrait on Float (2019) is a striking celebration of leisure, identity, and self-possession—an image that encapsulates the artist’s commitment to reframing how Black life is represented within contemporary art. Against a calm, unbroken teal backdrop, Adams depicts himself resting in a black unicorn pool float, its rainbow mane and playful expression contrasting the composed dignity of his own pose. The scene radiates ease and confidence, transforming an everyday act of relaxation into a declaration of visibility and freedom.Rendered in Adams’ signature geometric style, the figure’s form is composed of interlocking planes of brown, sienna, and umber, which create both structure and warmth. His face, composed with sharp precision, gazes directly at the viewer—assertive but serene. Around his neck rests a golden chain, stylized and exaggerated, symbolizing both adornment and cultural pride. The unicorn float, rendered in matte tones of black and gray, exudes a sense of fantasy and humor. Together, these elements merge the real and the symbolic: Adams situates himself within a world of leisure and play while simultaneously invoking deeper commentary on self-definition and Black joy.Self-Portrait on Float is part of Adams’ celebrated body of work exploring themes of rest, recreation, and self-care within African American life—subjects often underrepresented in art history. By portraying himself floating—literally buoyed by an emblem of whimsy—Adams asserts that pleasure and peace are radical acts. His subjects, including himself, inhabit spaces free from external tension or trauma, offering an alternate visual narrative to the one often imposed upon Black bodies in the cultural imagination.This emphasis on leisure as liberation reflects a recurring idea in Adams’ practice: that everyday moments of ease, style, and community are as culturally significant as scenes of struggle or protest. His work resists the reductive framing of Black identity through conflict, instead focusing on fullness, humanity, and joy. The pool becomes symbolic space—one of reflection, safety, and rebirth—echoing historical struggles for access to recreational spaces and the affirmation of presence in places once restricted.Formally, Adams’ aesthetic draws from Cubism and Pop Art, infusing them with African American visual language and sensibility. His faceted compositions recall Romare Bearden’s collages and Jacob Lawrence’s dynamic color fields, while his use of bold hues and simplified geometry nods to the commercial polish of mid-century design. Yet Adams infuses these influences with personal narrative, transforming abstraction into autobiography.In Self-Portrait on Float, humor and dignity coexist harmoniously. The unicorn—often a symbol of imagination and rarity—becomes a metaphor for individuality and pride. Adams’ calm expression, set against a minimal background, underscores his autonomy: he defines his own image, unmediated and unbothered.Ultimately, Self-Portrait on Float is both playful and profound—a modern icon of Black leisure and artistic sovereignty. In reclaiming the visual language of rest, Derrick Adams positions joy not as escapism, but as empowerment. The work captures his ongoing mission to celebrate the beauty and complexity of everyday Black life, turning moments of ease into timeless affirmations of strength, identity, and humanity.For more information on Derrick Adam's Self-Portrait on Float contact our galleries using the enquiry form below.
Price on Application
Auction History
Self Portrait on Float · Derrick Adams · Phillips · 2024-04 · $13,970
Self-Portrait on Float · Derrick Adams · Sotheby's · 2023-10 · $13,970
Self Portrait on Float · Derrick Adams · Christie's · 2023-03 · $17,640
Self Portrait on Float · Derrick Adams · Phillips · 2021-01 · $17,448
Self Portrait on Float · Derrick Adams · Sotheby's · 2020-12 · $0
More from this series
Derrick Adams
How I Spent My Summer
2021
Derrick Adams
How I Spent My Summer (Set of 9)
2021
Derrick Adams
Mirroring Idealism
2021
Derrick Adams
Parlay 3
2024
Derrick Adams
Style Variation 1 (Pixie)
2022
Derrick Adams
Style Variation 2 (Space Buns)
2022
Derrick Adams
Style Variation 3 (Loose Wave)
2022
Derrick Adams
Style Variation 4 (Side Part)
2022
Derrick Adams
Style Variation 5 (Fringe)
2022
Derrick Adams
This Could All Be Yours
2020
Derrick Adams
Where My Girls At?
2024
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.
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.