Artist Andrew V Kennedy Andrew V. Kennedy is a 30-something, Brooklyn artist of African American and Irish descent. I honestly can’t say that I recall how I came across his work; my guess is the venerable Bomb Magazine. If not that, then through some other serendipitous Internet musing. In any case, Kennedy’s work is the painting that now serves as my banner. I promised to tell you about him last Friday, but time got away, as it often does. Tuesday it is then! Better late than never. andrew v kennedy One might almost get tempted to call Kennedy’s work conceptual art, because just as much thought goes into the concept behind each piece as does into the visuals. AVK’s mission statement is not one, but four, fairly long essays on different, contemporary American political issues. On his website, essays range from topics about Middle Eastern politics, American military alliances, economic failure, racism, and Obama. And you see the result of this commentary in his 6 foot paintings and graphite drawings. 2008, 2010, oil on canvas, 54 x 33; about obama’s rise. 9-11 Name Location, 2004, charcoal and watercolor on paper, 44 x 30; on sept. 11 terrorist attacks Kennedy’s large works carry the weight of his messages. They’re intimate portraits of Americans, and humans in general, often weighed down by somber expressions. The way his brush strokes and heavy graphite lines contour the shapes of his subjects echo the important messages they accompany: “I AM Human” and “I Want Work NOW!!”. These reflections of the “average American” cry are then presented to echo the aesthetic of political propaganda and civil rights campaign posters, populous rallying banners. It’s smart art too. For Kennedy to deliberately choose each portion of the package that composes his art as he does: the political and socially conscious theories, the heavy graphite and somber brush strokes, and the propaganda-like imagery is nothing short of genius. Kennedy grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. It says on his site that he “has always maintained a steady interest in history, politics, and sociological issues.” He graduated from RISD in 2002 and is currently getting his MFA at Brooklyn College. You can check out his art here. veteran of the bulge, 2001, oil on canvas, 72 x 44; on military politics and veteran affairs
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Artist Andrew V Kennedy

Andrew V. Kennedy is a 30-something, Brooklyn artist of African American and Irish descent. I honestly can’t say that I recall how I came across his work; my guess is the venerable Bomb Magazine. If not that, then through some other serendipitous Internet musing.

In any case, Kennedy’s work is the painting that now serves as my banner. I promised to tell you about him last Friday, but time got away, as it often does. Tuesday it is then! Better late than never.

andrew v kennedy

One might almost get tempted to call Kennedy’s work conceptual art, because just as much thought goes into the concept behind each piece as does into the visuals. AVK’s mission statement is not one, but four, fairly long essays on different, contemporary American political issues. On his website, essays range from topics about Middle Eastern politics, American military alliances, economic failure, racism, and Obama. And you see the result of this commentary in his 6 foot paintings and graphite drawings.

2008, 2010, oil on canvas, 54 x 33; about obama’s rise.
9-11 Name Location, 2004, charcoal and watercolor on paper, 44 x 30; on sept. 11 terrorist attacks
Kennedy’s large works carry the weight of his messages. They’re intimate portraits of Americans, and humans in general, often weighed down by somber expressions. The way his brush strokes and heavy graphite lines contour the shapes of his subjects echo the important messages they accompany: “I AM Human” and “I Want Work NOW!!”. These reflections of the “average American” cry are then presented to echo the aesthetic of political propaganda and civil rights campaign posters, populous rallying banners.
It’s smart art too. For Kennedy to deliberately choose each portion of the package that composes his art as he does: the political and socially conscious theories, the heavy graphite and somber brush strokes, and the propaganda-like imagery is nothing short of genius.
Kennedy grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. It says on his site that he “has always maintained a steady interest in history, politics, and sociological issues.” He graduated from RISD in 2002 and is currently getting his MFA at Brooklyn College. You can check out his art here.

veteran of the bulge, 2001, oil on canvas, 72 x 44; on military politics and veteran affairs