News

De Novo Gallery Features “Clarence James” in its Next Window Project Exhibition

Friday November 7, 2025

Be on the lookout, MVT: De Novo Gallery announced its latest Window Project exhibition will be on view at 465 K Street NW starting Monday, November 10! Esther Ruiz’s mirrored neon art – which has been captivating passersby for the last six months – will make way for the “powerful exploration of identity, memory, and cultural reclamation” showcased in the work of DC-based contemporary artist Clarence James. Read an excerpt from the press release below to learn more about the exhibit and visit the exhibition website for more information on available works.

Clarence James’ paintings are not merely images, but energetic transmissions. James constructs visual terrains that pulse with movement and multiplicity that challenge linearity and status quo.

Layering spray paint, acrylics, oil pastels, graffiti mops into frenetic, mixed media, multi-perspective compositions, James paints in a raw, emotionally charged style that rejects formal constraints. His portraits—distorted yet human, spiritual yet grounded—evoke both the mask and the mirror, offering a glimpse into the human psyche shaped by society and survival.

James’ Black Cowboys series provides a form of visual storytelling that illustrates the rediscovery of forgotten history—restoring cultural identity through iconography and creating heroes from which we can all draw inspiration.

Email jamie@denovo-projects.com with inquiries or private viewing requests.