folkartwork

> ESTEBAN WHITESIDE is a self-taught painter whose work is based on the intersectionality of street art and politics. A native of Asheville, North Carolina, he began painting as an act of love. This then led to him dedicating more time and research into painting, with an interest in abstraction.

Esteban Whiteside // Apartide (Yellow & Orange)

ESTEBAN WHITESIDE Apartide (Yellow & Orange) (2024) // Acrylic and crayon on paper; unframed and measuring 6 inches x 8 inches

$200.00

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Always inspired by outspoken artists, after seeing the death of Michael Brown, he felt he could no longer create work that didn’t address social issues. This led to developing an artist narrative stemming from circumstances affecting the Black community. It was at this pivotal point that his inspiration shifted from abstract expressionism and artists like Romare Bearden. It is what Bearden calls “concrete oppressionism”, focusing solely on creating work containing a direct, political message. This leaves little room for interpretation.

Esteban eventually relocated to Washington, D.C., where he began showing his paintings just outside of his neighborhood. The reactions and feedback received from passers-by motivated him to continue producing. With the overt nature of his work’s messaging, Whiteside says, “I want the right people to love it, and if you feel guilty that’s probably how you’re supposed to feel about it.”

Learn more about Esteban Whiteside.

About the FolkArtwork Collective

It brings me great pleasure to introduce the FolkArtwork Collective — a fantastic group of self-taught and emerging artists from across the globe. Jackie Bradshaw, Esteban Whiteside, Sarah Lee, and Noel Hatfield are the first artists to bring original artwork directly to the FolkArtwork web store on both FolkArtwork.art/shop and directly on Instagram. I am very pleased to also add Reneesha Mccoy, Jordan Sullivan, Gabrielle K Brown, Christopher Bame, Max Kuhn, Ben Gardner and in 2024, Melody Jean Moulton, Dinah Hanson-Carrillo, Lindsay Carraway and Kathy Edwards Hayslett to the collective.

After six years of running this account, it has evolved. From sharing daily art by great outsider and self-taught artists who are no longer with us, I am thrilled to share this space with current artists to assist in their artistic journey and bring their artwork to the masses and maybe to a home near you.

I am excited to see FolkArtwork evolve and grow. We will continue to share daily outsider artwork by some of the greatest artists ever. You’ll see pictures from travels across the country of unknown and hidden art environments. Now with original, affordable, and self-taught artwork available for purchase.