The Carlos Reid Gallery

Akili Richards

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

F**KING: An Intimate Love Story is a provocative artistic study in love, color and the female form. Chronicling a night of passion between a loving couple, this series exposes the mesmerizing nature of true love, desire and ecstasy.

Akili Richards has most certainly created a series that both captivates and inspires viewers. With an artist’s stroke and finesse, he has successfully rebelled against the machine of censorship and anti-love propaganda.

In a world where women’s bodies are shamelessly abused and demeaned, Richards portrays feminine beauty with innate respect, care and appreciation. He shares, “God created man and woman to fit together and procreate. Do you think its a coincidence that it feels so good? As a gift from God, why is it this now a shameful subject never to be spoken of? Of course it’s not for children, but amongst adults, why is it so taboo? It is in us to love breasts. They give life. When a child is born, whether its a boy or girl, that baby wants to suckle. Period. I paint truth. I paint humanity. I paint love. And lets just say, I have an affinity for the female form.”

F**CKING: An Intimate Love Story is slated for release in paperback and hardback to be sold online, in stores and at the internationally traveling exhibition. Additionally this concept is currently in development as a documentary exploring the history of this controversial word as relates to society, love and intimacy.

Help us open the world’s eyes to what true love looks like. As we rebel against the powers that would have you believe hate reigns supreme - join us in spreading love. #FCKINGLOVEMOVEMENT

Visit http://f--cking.com for more information.

All monies donated to the F**cking: The Fundraiser go directly to the independent publishing of our book and production of the exhibits planned for Atlanta, New York City, Miami, Los Angeles Paris and London.

AKILI MANSA RICHARDS is an artist who merges photorealism–a delicate painting technique where fluid paint strokes are used to make the painting look like a photograph-with modern technology. His subjects include sensuality, spirituality, fantasy and searing social commentary. Born in Morristown, NJ to a family with generations of visual artists, he has been drawing and painting since the age of two. Excelling in art classes, he graduated from Hampton University with a B.A. in Comprehensive Art. Richards suffered devastating losses during this time that include the death of his grandmother, who encouraged and supported his art career, and the loss of his vision in his left eye. Waking one morning to discover he could no longer see through his left eye, he now has 20-30% vision and continues to draw, paint and create diverse works of art.

Born: Newark, NJ November 28, 1973

B.A. Comprehensive Art, Hampton University, 1999

“By creating works of intense detail, I re-create life the way that I see it. My goal is to deeply engage viewers while giving them a snapshot “hyper-reality”.

Group Exhibitions

2013 ARTiculate Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

Media and Publications

2010 Akili Richards featured on DC News Talk Radio

2012 Alone In My Crazy Little World, (eBook) Akili Mansa Richards

2013 Akili Richards: Mixed Media Master, Visionary Artistry Magazine

2013 Introducing Mr. Akili Mansa Richards-The Artist Behind the Beauty…

Digital painting is a method of creating an art object (painting) digitally and/or a technique for making digital art in the computer. As a method of creating an art object, it adapts traditional painting medium such as acrylic paint, oils, ink, watercolor, etc. and applies the pigment to traditional carriers, such as woven canvas cloth, paper, polyester etc. by means of computer software driving industrial robotic or office machinery (printers). As a technique, it refers to a computer graphics software program that uses a virtual canvas and virtual painting box of brushes, colors and other supplies. The virtual box contains many instruments that do not exist outside the computer, and which give a digital artwork a different look and feel from an artwork that is made the traditional way.

*Media: Digital Airbrushing print on Arches Infinity Aquarelle Rag Museum Quality Archival Paper. This genuine 100% rag, watercolour paper possesses the unique structure, surface texture and warm white tone that demanding artists expect from a traditional Fine Art paper. This paper complies with the highest archival standards and is extremely age resistant.

Akili prints use archival, pigmented inks. Your finished prints will resist fading or discoloration for well over 80 years. Proprietery protective varnish ( included at N/C) specifically made for LYVE ensures against scuffs, tears, or cracks. Printed on Breathing Color™ Chromata LYVE Canvas Is The Industry Leader in the manufacture of Fine Art Digital Canvas. Timeless™ varnish is specifically formulated to enhance and protect Chromata Lyve canvas. There will be one original printed on canvas.

CNN Tribute to Ernie Barnes (featuring Akili Richards)

Carlos Reid, M.B.A., M.S. & M.O.T.

Chief Curator

THE CARLOS REID GALLERY

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