Atlanta-based artist Brill Adium launched his solo exhibition, ‘Finding My Rhythm,’ at One Contemporary Gallery on July 25, captivating attendees with his mixed-media artworks that traverse a variety of themes much like tracks on a mixtape.
Adium set the tone for the evening by inviting visitors to engage deeply with his work, saying, “I want people to question the art. I make art for people to have a dialogue with their neighbor, because now it goes to a solution. I want to form a solution. In this world, we have a lot of problems that need to be addressed, and curiosity starts with these pieces.”
Gallery owner Faron Manuel expressed his admiration for Adium’s socially conscious approach. He noted first encountering Adium’s work about a year and a half ago and being drawn in by the emotion present in his paintings and the unique techniques he employed, such as woodwork and assemblage.
“I thought he had something really interesting to say,” Manuel remarked. “He is socially aware and conveys a lot of emotion in his painting with a unique style, and I just thought he had a really good story to tell.”
The title of the exhibition, ‘Finding My Rhythm,’ arose organically during discussions between Adium and Manuel. “He said, ‘You know, I don’t really think of this as a cohesive body of work. The last couple of years, I really just been finding my rhythm,'” Manuel recalled. This conversation inspired Manuel to choose a title that encapsulated both the essence and journey of Adium’s artwork.
Adium, originally from Andalusia, Alabama, moved to Orlando in his fifth grade before relocating to Atlanta four years ago. He likened his exhibition to a mixtape, recognizing that it is composed of diverse ideas rather than a singularly coherent concept. “You know, when you think of a mixtape, it’s not really a fleshed-out idea; it’s just ideas. Some people will say, ‘Damn, I love these songs.’ And then from that, maybe three songs make the album. So that’s what this is,” he explained.
Art has always been a significant part of Adium’s life; he began creating as a child, often finding solace in drawing during moments he was sent to his room. “My mom used to send me to my room a lot, so that’s where I found that time. I also understood being in my room was therapeutic when I was drawing,” he shared.
He emphasized his identity as a multifaceted creative, not merely a painter. Adium crafted all the wooden frames for the exhibition himself, showcasing his woodworking skills and artistic versatility. “I don’t want to just be looked at as a painter. I want to be looked at as somebody that can execute ideas,” he stated with conviction.
Among the works on display, one piece stood out to Adium: a tribute to the victims of the 1963 Birmingham church bombing, a poignant moment in history that deeply resonated with him. “That’s the one that I really want people to hone in on,” he emphasized. “That’s a real moment that touched me. When I finished that piece, they spoke with me. Those girls in that painting spoke to me. So for me, at that moment, it made me realize why we do art.”
One Contemporary Gallery, which opened its doors more than six months ago in January, has actively showcased diverse artists through both group and solo exhibitions. Manuel noted the warm reception the gallery has received from the Edgewood community. The Liberty Baptist Church has graciously provided free parking for gallery events, which has made attending them more accessible.
“We felt really welcomed by the Edgewood community,” Manuel mentioned. “They really love the idea of an art gallery being here. So for the majority of our events, we present them with free parking downtown in Atlanta, which is basically unheard of, and a lot of people from the community come out. Some have become patrons and buy art and support the work that we do.”
In closing, Adium encouraged fellow creatives to pursue their passions and ideas unfailingly, stating, “If you’re creative, or if you got an idea, if you got a dream, you know, just push through with it. Execute. That’s all I want people to do.”
image source from：theatlantavoice
