Cory Van Lew

Propelled to create art that feels good, Cory Van Lew paints brightly colored works that draw aesthetically on his experiences as a graphic designer to create scenes that explore racial identity. Also known as “Lewy V,” the artist focuses on scenes portraying the everyday lives of Black Americans, as in his “Blue Faces” series featuring works like THE GREAT GARDENER (2020) or RADIANT (2020). In these, he portrays his figures with blue skin, often against an orange or pink backdrop to make the colors pop while conveying optimism and eschewing the earthy tones often used to depict Black people. Van Lew’s depiction of himself trimming his brother’s locked hairstyle in THE LINE UP (2020) exudes trust and fraternity, showcasing both the relationship that he has with his brother and his hope to inspire the Black community through his art’s positivity. He collaborated with Mike Tyson to create a limited edition collection of NFT works celebrating the boxer’s legacy.