Washington, D.C.’s deep-rooted connection to basketball takes center stage in Chela Mitchell Gallery’s latest exhibition, Give and Go-Go, which opens Wednesday, March 19th, and runs through Sunday, April 27. This two-person show highlights the work of artists Eric Louis January and Bradley Ward, who use painting, collage, and mixed media to explore basketball’s influence on Black identity, resilience, and collective memory.
Through their powerful works, January and Ward examine the rhythm of basketball—from college courts to streetball legends to the professional stage—positioning it as more than just a game, but a unifying cultural force. Their art navigates themes of history, survival, and community, offering a visual language that speaks to both personal and communal narratives within Black life.
Meet the Artists
Eric Louis January, a Chicago-based multidisciplinary artist and Howard University alum, brings a prophetic Black surrealist lens to the exhibit. His work reflects a deep engagement with history, infrastructure, and the people shaped by it. By blending raw abstraction with symbolic gestures, January captures the tension between motion and stillness in contemporary Black life. His work has been recognized by The NBA, Nike, and Microsoft, further solidifying his place in the art world.
Bradley Ward, an archivist and artist from Houston, Texas, uses his work to examine the modalities of survival within the Black experience. A 2019 MFA graduate of Pratt Institute, Ward explores the intersection of sports, performance, and labor, positioning basketball as a communal, rhythmic force. His layered figuration and collage techniques reinforce the harmony and resonance found within Black culture, making his pieces deeply reflective and immersive.
About Chela Mitchell Gallery:
Founded in 2021, Chela Mitchell Gallery has quickly emerged as a premier contemporary art space in Washington, D.C. The gallery fosters community, celebrates culture, and amplifies diverse voices in fine art and design. Through exhibitions like Give and Go-Go, the gallery continues its mission to push artistic boundaries and engage audiences in meaningful dialogue.
Follow #GiveAndGoGo and @chelamitchellgallery for updates and insights into this must-see exhibition.
