we are the black gold of the sun.

Martha Wade explores the richness and complexities of black people in her solo exhibition, we are the black gold of the sun, a phrase coined by a close collector friend. The sun motif, along with stars, and strong spirit animals such as bears and whales are recurring motifs in her work to personify strength, grandeur, longevity and vitality. This is especially embodied in response to the times of social unrest, distress and duress, that often fall at the feet of black people and people of color. Through her work, Wade seeks to depict her subjects as larger than life in stature alongside architectural line-work and cityscapes, and full of life and color. The grains and shades of her wooden palettes become the skin tones of her subjects, and represent the journey around the sun — both in material and the lives of the individuals. Wade lets the work speak for itself and returns back to the basics of illustration by creating detailed line works with ink, and remixes her own work through collage, mixed media, and works from her father, also an artist.

Wade wants the viewer to remember when looking at her work, there is always light in darkness, and we are always the brightest stars.

we run this city 8x14” acrylic and ink on reclaimed wood — **we run this city**
8x14” acrylic and ink on reclaimed wood

the bricks of our golden hands 36x48” ballpoint pen + acrylic on birchwood commissioned by the Obama Foundation — **the bricks of our golden hands**
36x48” ballpoint pen + acrylic on birchwood
commissioned by the Obama Foundation

Kemet king homecoming 24x36” ballpoint pen + acrylic on wood — **Kemet king homecoming**
24x36” ballpoint pen + acrylic on wood

growth mindset 12x24” acrylic + paper collage on birchwood — **growth mindset**
12x24” acrylic + paper collage on birchwood

we are the black gold of the sun (crown royal on chrome) 12x12” ballpoint pen + canvas collage on wood now on view at Elephant Room Gallery SOLD — **we are the black gold of the sun**
(crown royal on chrome)
12x12” ballpoint pen + canvas collage on wood
now on view at Elephant Room Gallery **SOLD**

streets calling bike club (hey i like your bike!) 24x24” ballpoint pen + paper collage on birchwood — **streets calling bike club** (hey i like your bike!)
24x24” ballpoint pen + paper collage on birchwood

the power is within you 24x24” acrylic + paper collage remix on birchwood — **the power is within you**
24x24” acrylic + paper collage remix on birchwood

IMHOTEP step into the mind pyramid 30x40” hand embellished canvas giclee print with ink + acrylic embellishments limited edition #1 of 10 — **IMHOTEP step into the mind pyramid**
30x40” hand embellished canvas giclee print
with ink + acrylic embellishments
limited edition #1 of 10

Chicago girl 18x24” ballpoint pen + oil on birchwood — **Chicago girl**
18x24” ballpoint pen + oil on birchwood

her majesty Simone 24x24” ballpoint pen + paper collage on birchwood — **her majesty Simone**
24x24” ballpoint pen + paper collage on birchwood

inside your own universe, there is peace 18x24” acrylic and paper collage remix on wood — **inside your own universe, there is peace**
18x24” acrylic and paper collage remix on wood

black resilience 12x24” ink and acrylic on wood — **black resilience**
12x24” ink and acrylic on wood

sun kissed 12x16” graphite and collage on paper — **sun kissed**
12x16” graphite and collage on paper

complex nature 12x16” graphite and collage on paper — **complex nature**
12x16” graphite and collage on paper

may the force be with you 12x24” oil on wood — **may the force be with you**
12x24” oil on wood

say yes 12x16” graphite and collage on paper — **say yes**
12x16” graphite and collage on paper

the professor 12x16” graphite and collage on paper — **the professor**
12x16” graphite and collage on paper

big Aquarius energy 12x24” paper collage on wood — **big Aquarius energy**
12x24” paper collage on wood

inner struggles of self love 12x16” graphite and collage on paper — **inner struggles of self love**
12x16” graphite and collage on paper

bloom 12x16” collage on paper — **bloom**
12x16” collage on paper