After an eight-year hiatus from public art exhibits, Franklin, aka APT 50, returns with his show “Super Sport.” Inspired by the artist revolution of the Modern Post War era and the works of painters from the Harlem Renaissance, he uses abstract expressionism to tell his story and share his love of the colors, shapes, and emotions that make up his life. 

Franklin was born and raised in Washington, D.C., near Kennedy Street. His parents supported his pursuit of artistic education at a young age and had access to museums and art galleries. He got his start at a young age. He realized he had a creative edge in elementary school over his peers. 

His self-described moment when he realized his calling to art was when his mother took him to the Phillips Collection to learn about black painters such as Jacob Lawrence and his Great Migration series. Soon after, when his second-grade teacher introduced Harlem Renaissance painters for Black History Month, Franklin was the first to recognize the painter and his work before she even had the chance to teach. From then on, Franklin continued to hone in on his talents, eventually focusing on this niche of abstract painting. Upon graduating high school, his artwork began appearing in residential showings around D.C. He soon began visiting several east coast cities, such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York City.

D.C. is a metropolitan area with diverse people, cultures, and conditions that allow the artistic and entrepreneurial spirit to flourish. Both of these are evident in how Franklin creates his art, operates his business, and his philosophy for life. Growing up in one of the city’s notorious neighborhoods, a bus ride from some of the most notable art galleries and museums is a beautiful representation of D.C.’s dynamic.

“It’s crazy. I think art and just how I create is just the most powerful sport. It really is a super sport, no pun intended. Having that mental prowess and physical strength to really get in front of the canvas and pull something out of nothing just requires a lot.”

Although best known for his art, he maintains a second creative outlet through his clothing brand “Rent is Due” and his artist moniker APT 50. Evident from the name, this brand grounds itself in its background of hard work and awareness of life’s social and financial realities. From learning how to write checks from his father at a young age to his mother enforcing $50 rent once he graduated, the values of hard work and grit strengthened Franklin’s artistic spirit.

After losing his father to Parkinson’s disease in 2018, Thompson took a step away from the public eye to grieve, reset and recollect himself. In this absence, however, his desire to share his artwork only grew, and he shows this renewed perspective in the painting he aims to show in his latest exhibit. “Super Sport,” named and inspired by his and his father’s shared love of classic sports cars, aims to display several themes of his memories with his father and tie it together as a story told through his paintings.

“The story is incredible, and the fact that I’ve been able to tie all these  influences together for this specific collection around like motorsports different color codes and harmonies from different sorts of machines, … then to tie it all around the theme of the circle of life the silver lining of losing something but also gaining something at the same time and then also just having that touch with that with the most use extremity of the body the hand.”

His art style teeters on the line of mystery and clarity, allowing viewers to ponder on his message. Viewers can see the pieces used to create the work, including colors, spherical shapes, and physical extremities. His aim with Super Sport is a tribute to his late father and his attempt to return to the art space with something to share with the people. 

With the turbulent last few years the country has faced with racial unrest, injustice, and global pandemics, Franklin feels that it’s his opportunity and duty to give back to the community. He reflects on opportunities he has had with his art career, specifically with abstractionism, which allows for his work to enable people to think and dig deeper into their selves.

“That’s what I think is the greatest part of abstract art. The fact that it walks the thin line between doing too much and not enough. You can either do too little or too much, but in the middle, that sweet spot is so glorious.”

“Super Sport” is set to debut at the Circus Gallery at Union Market District in Washington, D.C., for a three-day event from February 24th to the 26th. For more information on the featured artist and the upcoming exhibit, visit Instagram.com/Apt_50 and visit his website at apt50studio.com.