As an artist, I’ve sacrificed to create and share visual stories that reflect my culture and the human experience through an urban lens.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
Mixed Media Portraiture and Figurative work.
Where do you find inspiration?My work is driven by a desire to honor cultural heritage while also questioning and expanding it. It reflects an ongoing dialogue between visibility and invisibility, tradition and reinvention, rootedness and evolution. Using this process, I explore how identity is shaped, informed, and reclaimed—inviting people to consider what we inherit and how we choose to move it forward.
What would you do with $25,000?Receiving this award would support the continuation of my artistic practice while enabling me to expand the scale and scope of my work with access to a dedicated studio space. It would also allow me to exhibit my work professionally in the public area and create a community-centered event that would offer an enriching experience for audiences of all ages.
Vote for Derrick Burnett to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Register now for your opportunity to appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display your artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
