Kumasi J. BarnettEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Artist and professor Kumasi J. Barnett returns to the podcast to talk art, protest, and making work that cuts through the noise. Known for subverting comic books through introspective reinterpretations, Barnett reflects his work today. Barnett shares the realities of being a Black painter, creating in the shadow of systemic erasure, and why some truths hit harder in spandex. Topic Covered: Why painting is the easy part—but being an artist is not Rewriting comic canon to reflect modern injustice Teaching art, parenting, and painting as a long game Why selling out isn't the flex many think it is What he’s planning next (spoiler: it's political) 🎧 Revisit Kumasi’s first episode from 2022 for more context on his powerful comic-based series. The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund , the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore) . Host : Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis . Production: Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis Edited by Daniel Alexis Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor Photos: Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media. Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted. Support the podcast The Truth In This Art Podcast Fractured Atlas ( Fundraising ): https://www.fracturedatlas.org The Truth In This Art Podcast Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thetruthinthisart.bsky.social The Truth In This Art Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truthinthisart/?hl=en The Truth In This Art Podcast Website: https://www.thetruthinthisart.com/ The Truth In This Art Podcast Shop: Merch from Redbubble ★ Support this podcast ★

Welcome aboard 'The Truth in This Art,' a podcast that celebrates the power of creativity, hosted by Rob Lee. Today, we have Kumasi J. Barnett, a Baltimore-based artist, who transforms comic book covers into thought-provoking reflections on systemic racism, police brutality, corporate greed, and political corruption. With an MFA from The Ohio State University, Barnett subverts classic good vs. evil narratives, infusing them with present-day social consciousness. He paints directly over old comic books, critiquing issues that plague society. His works have been showcased in various exhibitions in the US and abroad, including at renowned museums and galleries. Featured in prominent art publications, Barnett's unique blend of comics, painting, and art history creates impactful and powerful art. As we explore: Explore how Kumasi J. Barnett utilizes comic book covers to confront societal issues like systemic racism and police brutality. Delve into Barnett's early connection to comics and how it influenced his artistic journey. Discover how Barnett's art blends his passion for comics with his training as an abstract painter and love for art history. Uncover why Barnett believes in the storytelling power of comics for addressing significant social matters. Learn about Barnett's advocacy for greater diversity and representation in mainstream comics and its impact on the industry. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Kumasi ash he joins the podcast to discuss his unique approach to art. He alters actual comic book covers to address societal issues such as systemic racism, police brutality, corporate greed, and political corruption. Barnett explains that he learned to read through comics and has always had a deep connection to the medium. He describes his work as a way to tell real stories using fictional narratives, drawing inspiration from his own experiences growing up in Baltimore. Barnett also shares his thoughts on the comic book industry and the need for more diverse representation in mainstream comics. Mentioned in this episode: Kumasi's Website 🎧🌟 Don't forget to rate and review this episode to support the best in podcasting! 🌟🎧 The Truth In This Art is supported by William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund , the Maryland State Arts Council's Creativity Grant and Mayor's Individual Artist Award - Creative Baltimore Fund (Baltimore) . Host : Rob Lee Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis . Production: Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis Edited by Daniel