The AEP Series and the Black Midwestern Art Movement

The AEP Series was created during a period when I was thinking deeply about place, identity, and the role of abstraction in telling personal and regional stories. As conversations around Black artists in Minneapolis continue to grow, there is a stronger spotlight than ever on the work coming out of the Midwest. The AEP Series sits inside that movement — shaped by lived experience, local culture, and the specific rhythm of Black life in this region.

For people who collect artwork or follow Midwest abstract art, this series represents a moment of transition in my practice. It pushed my use of color, layered marks, and compositional energy to a new level, and it helped define the direction of my abstract work in the years that followed. This post explains why the AEP Series matters, how it fits into the evolving landscape of Black Midwestern art, and why collectors have responded so strongly to it.

1. What the AEP Series Represents

The acronym “AEP” stands for Audacious Electromagnetic Pulse. When I created this body of work, I was focused on translating internal rhythm into visual form. The compositions came from a place of momentum: bold marks, saturated color choices, and the kind of controlled improvisation that defines much of my abstract work.

For collectors who follow Midwest abstract art, the AEP Series captures the energy that comes from living in this region: sharp seasonal transitions, cultural intersections, and the constant push to carve out space for your own voice. These paintings move between structure and spontaneity, reflecting the tension and beauty of creating in the Midwest as a Black artist.

2. The Role of Black Artists in Minneapolis

Minneapolis has a long and often under-recognized history of Black artists shaping its creative landscape. The city’s art scene is more than its institutions; it is built by working artists, educators, and makers who continue to produce work that reflects their communities and personal histories.

As interest in Black artists in Minneapolis grows, more collectors are paying attention to the nuances of regional work. The Midwest is not often positioned at the center of national art conversations, but that is changing. Collectors are realizing that the narratives coming from this region—particularly from Black artists—are distinct and culturally important.

The AEP Series was made during a period when I was engaging more directly with the identity of being a Black abstract artist in the Midwest. These works explore the idea of internal movement: the way the body carries memory, the way communities hold shared rhythm, and the way cultural experience can be expressed without relying on literal imagery.

3. Why Abstraction Matters in Black Midwestern Art

Abstraction has always been a powerful space for Black artists. It allows for expression that is not confined to representation yet still holds personal meaning. In the Midwest, abstraction becomes a way to communicate the internal landscape…the emotional pulse of everyday life, the quiet intensity of the region, and the complexity of identity within it.

Collectors who follow Midwest abstract art often look for work that balances intentionality with spontaneity. The AEP Series sits in that intersection. These pieces rely on strong structure, layered gestures, and color choices that carry emotional weight. They are not about replicating an image; they are about capturing a feeling.

For Black artists in Minneapolis, abstraction becomes a space of ownership. It is a space where narrative is not limited. The AEP Series is part of that larger conversation, contributing to a growing recognition of Black Midwestern abstraction as a serious and evolving movement.

4. Why Collectors Respond to the AEP Series

Collectors often tell me they are drawn to the AEP works because of their energy. There is movement in every layer…a pulse that pushes forward. People who collect original artwork are looking for work that holds personal and visual weight. The AEP Series does that through:

• strong, confident marks

• saturated color relationships

• balance between chaos and control

• clear direction within the composition

• a sense of forward motion

When you view these works in person, you see the history of every layer. That presence is what helps them stand out within collections of Midwest abstract art and why they continue to be requested by collectors new and established.

5. The AEP Series in the Context of My Ongoing Practice

The AEP Series marks a foundational moment in my body of work. It influenced later series, informed my approach to movement and rhythm, and helped define the direction of my abstract paintings.

For collectors seeking work by Black artists in Minneapolis, the AEP Series offers an entry point into a practice rooted in place, identity, and the evolving story of Black Midwestern abstraction. It is a key moment in my archive, and a series that continues to shape what comes next.

About Gregory

I'm an East Cast native transplanted in the Midwest. I'm namely known as a painter, and have exhibited locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

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