Prints
1 work
Derrick Adams Style Variation 1 (Pixie) For Sale
Derrick Adams
Style Variation 1 (Pixie), 2022
Screen print, acrylic gloss Somerset Museum Rag Radiant White paper Hand-signed and numbered
19 3/4 x 26 3/4 in 50 x 68.1 cm
Edition
Edition of 50
About this work
Derrick Adams’ Style Variation 1 (Pixie) (2022) is a quietly commanding portrait that merges abstraction, geometry, and cultural symbolism into a reflection on identity, beauty, and self-presentation. The work depicts a stylized bust of a woman with a sleek asymmetrical haircut—an elegant “pixie” style rendered with Adams’ signature cubist construction of overlapping planes and rich tonal gradations. Set against a pristine white background, the figure’s composed gaze and sculptural form radiate both individuality and universality, celebrating the expressive power of Black aesthetics and the artistry of self-fashioning.The piece belongs to Adams’ celebrated “Style Variations” series, in which he explores the relationship between portraiture, fashion, and self-expression through the language of design. Each work in the series features a mannequin-like bust, reimagined as a living monument to beauty culture—an homage to the creativity found in barbershops, beauty salons, and Black hair artistry. In Style Variation 1 (Pixie), Adams transforms what might be seen as a simple hairstyle into a symbol of autonomy, confidence, and care.The faceted construction of the face—composed of interlocking shades of brown, rose, plum, and black—recalls both Cubism and African sculpture, traditions that Adams fuses into a distinctly contemporary idiom. His geometric precision, influenced by artists like Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence, evokes a rhythm that feels both architectural and human. Yet Adams’ figures are never cold or distant; they emanate warmth, dignity, and personality through color and form. The careful articulation of planes suggests that identity itself is layered, multifaceted, and continuously constructed.The asymmetrical black hairstyle, draped elegantly across one side of the face, is central to the composition’s power. It references the “pixie cut,” a style synonymous with sophistication and bold individuality. Here, it becomes more than a fashion statement—it’s a sculptural declaration of self. The subject’s long lashes and subtly pink lips add nuance and glamour, reinforcing Adams’ belief that adornment can be an act of pride, not vanity.Adams’ use of a stark white background isolates the figure, emphasizing her form as both artwork and icon. The image reads as a cross between a classical bust and a salon mannequin head, blurring the line between art object and cultural artifact. By elevating a subject often associated with commercial display, Adams asserts that beauty and Blackness deserve the same reverence afforded to fine art traditions.Throughout his practice, Derrick Adams has sought to reclaim images of Black life from the margins of representation, focusing instead on joy, leisure, and self-definition. In contrast to narratives of struggle or spectacle, works like Style Variation 1 (Pixie) highlight the artistry inherent in everyday self-styling and the cultural ecosystems that sustain it.Ultimately, Style Variation 1 (Pixie) is an ode to the creativity and confidence embedded in personal presentation. It honors the act of choosing how to be seen and insists that beauty—particularly Black beauty—is both deeply personal and profoundly political. With clarity, precision, and affection, Derrick Adams transforms a hairstyle into a symbol of identity, resilience, and radiant self-possession.For more information on Derrick Adam's Style Variation 1 (Pixie) contact our galleries using the enquiry form below.
Price on Application
Auction History
Style Variation 1 (Afro); Style Variation 2 (Waves); Style Variation 3 (High Top); and Style Variation 4 (Beard) · Derrick Adams · Sotheby's · 2023-10 · $8,890
Style Variation 4 · Derrick Adams · Phillips · 2023-03 · $215,900
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
Self Portrait on Float
2019
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.