What is Joy

Milwaukee-based artist Reginald K. Gee is known for his visionary Neo-Expressionist style. Born in Milwaukee in 1964 to Native American and African American parents, he is an emerging tour de force in the contemporary and outsider art scenes. Gee’s interpretation of subject matter is unique, inventive and illustrates his command of expression in form, color and language. In his images, he explores a wide range of themes and subjects, including playful musicians, surreal vistas, mystical dreams and fantastic visions. He borrows from his heritage as an African American as well as a Native American, incorporating historical images, symbols, and numerology into his artwork. At the same time, Gee's paintings are figurative, abstract and narrative, expressing through the use of uninhibited color the artist's views of contemporary society. When asked how he learned about art Gee replied, "I didn't. I still haven't learned. You just do it." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel described Gee's work as "tribal art-derived from Pop Culture and art magazines." In recent years, Gee has participated in dozens of shows including Soul of Black Folk and the Chicago Black Art Expo. Gee is influenced by Pablo Picasso, Willem De Kooning, Francis Bacon, Jean Michel Basquiat and David Salle.