Prints
1 work
Derrick Adams This Could All Be Yours For Sale
Derrick Adams
This Could All Be Yours, 2020
Inkjet and 6 color screenprint on paper Hand signed and numbered
19 1/2 x 28 7/8 in 49.5 x 73.3 cm
Edition
Edition of 30
About this work
Derrick Adams’ This Could All Be Yours (2020) is a vivid, layered commentary on aspiration, media, and the performative spectacle of the American dream. Rendered in Adams’ hallmark collage-like geometry and electrifying color palette, the work situates two Black figures within the frame of a retro television set—both participants and symbols of a culture defined by visibility, consumerism, and projection. Through the lens of Pop aesthetics and cultural critique, Adams fuses humor, nostalgia, and sharp social awareness into a single, exuberant image. The two central figures, whose faces are divided into angular planes of contrasting tones, seem animated mid-speech, as if hosting a lively game show or televised moment of revelation. Behind them, the background bursts with the repeated number “100,” stylized in multicolored patterns that recall emojis, neon signage, and Pop Art’s repetitive motifs. This visual saturation alludes to both excitement and excess—an emblem of achievement, fame, and quantifiable success in a world obsessed with validation. The entire scene unfolds inside an old-fashioned wooden TV set, complete with oversized dials and a silver screen border. Adams’ decision to frame the composition this way is crucial: he reminds viewers that the spectacle of representation—particularly of Black life—has long been mediated through the lens of entertainment and commodified imagery. By reclaiming that screen, Adams transforms the medium itself into a platform of agency. The figures are no longer caricatures or side characters—they are front and center, self-possessed and dynamic. At its core, This Could All Be Yours critiques the seductive promise of success that mass media perpetuates. The title suggests both possibility and irony: the gleaming world on screen—of wealth, fame, or recognition—“could” belong to anyone, yet remains an illusion shaped by systemic structures. Adams invites us to question who controls those narratives, who gets to “own” them, and how desire itself becomes a form of performance. Adams’ broader practice is deeply rooted in reimagining how Black identity is seen and celebrated within contemporary visual culture. Drawing inspiration from Cubism, collage, and Pop Art, he reconstructs the human form using bold, fractured planes that mirror the multifaceted nature of modern identity. Like artists before him—Romare Bearden, Faith Ringgold, and Barkley Hendricks—Adams positions the Black figure within everyday contexts that affirm beauty, joy, and power, rather than trauma or marginalization. In This Could All Be Yours, he merges this philosophy with a critique of spectacle itself. The figures exude charisma and individuality through their patterned clothing—one in a polka-dot jacket, the other in textured blue—each pattern reflecting Adams’ interest in surface design, rhythm, and material culture. Yet beyond their visual energy, there is an undercurrent of reflection: what does it mean to be seen? What does it mean to perform success? By transforming the television screen—a historic site of distortion and stereotype—into a vibrant field of self-defined imagery, Adams reclaims the gaze. This Could All Be Yours becomes a statement of empowerment and irony, embodying the artist’s ongoing mission to present Black life as multifaceted, aspirational, and gloriously alive. For more information on Derrick Adam's This Could All Be Yours, contact our galleries using the enquiry form below.
Price on Application
Auction History
This Could All Be Yours · Derrick Adams · Bonhams · 2022-05 · $7,650
More from this series
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How I Spent My Summer
2021
Derrick Adams
How I Spent My Summer (Set of 9)
2021
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Mirroring Idealism
2021
Derrick Adams
Parlay 3
2024
Derrick Adams
Self Portrait on Float
2019
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Style Variation 1 (Pixie)
2022
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Style Variation 2 (Space Buns)
2022
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Style Variation 3 (Loose Wave)
2022
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Style Variation 4 (Side Part)
2022
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Style Variation 5 (Fringe)
2022
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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.