WE ARE FUNDING OUR OWN OPPRESSION - Collage/ Acrylic on Paper
Artist Statement
My experience and culture influence my perspective on life, spirituality and social justice. There is no separation between that perspective and my work. As a self-taught artist I think I am not particularly “sophisticated” about my approach to creating work. My art is a genuine expression of all that I am. I am also a musician, poet and an avid reader. I have learned my craft by relentless practice and by studying at the feet of the masters. I maintain an attitude of curiosity, humility and awe.
I was blessed to come of age during the late 70’s & 80’s. I was heavily influenced by the emergence of the Hip Hop, Punk Rock and Rastafarian Reggae movements and the art and fashion that was attached to each. The commonality of these musical forms was a sense of culture and of honesty, rebellion and innovation.
I think it’s incredibly important for creative people to study the work of master writers and artists of all cultures and from different time periods to inform, influence and inspire and to form a foundation on which to build upon.
Black Disaster Capitalism l & ll - Collage/Acrylics on Paper
I don’t think my art is overtly political. My focus is really about bringing to light our Divine Nature which goes much deeper than politics. This in itself may be a subversive and rebellious act. With my art I hope to call attention to the fact that politics are a distraction from what is the true essence of the human experience which is in my opinion to manifest spiritually.
Artist Biography
Born and raised in Brooklyn New York, Patrick Dougher is a self-taught fine artist, musician, poet and actor. Patrick has performed and recorded with Sade, the Grammy award winning Dan Zanes and many others. He has played drums with many notable reggae artists such as Black Uhuru’s Michael Rose and Steel Pulses’ David Hinds and Hip Hop star Chuck D of Public Enemy. Patrick also played drums on “The Dub Side of the Moon” one of the bestselling reggae LPs of all time.
He has performed his poetry for the WNET Open Mic series as well as BRIC TV and venues around NYC. Patrick was a lead actor in the Ping Chong 651 Arts theatre production “Brooklyn 63” which toured in 2014.
Patrick worked as an art therapist with HIV positive children at Kings County Hospital, a co-curator at the Museum of African Art, a youth counselor and teaching artist at Project Reach and Studio in a School and most recently as the Program Director of Groundswell, NYC’s premier community mural arts organization where he oversaw and directed over 300 public mural projects throughout the city. He is currently working as he Interim Director of Education for BRIC Arts Media and as a freelance consultant with The Center for Court Innovations. For over 20 years Patrick has used the arts to empower and support the socio-emotional growth of at-risk and disenfranchised youth of the city.
Patrick’s art reflects his life’s mission to inspire and empower by honestly and fearlessly holding up a mirror to society’s inequity and injustices. Through his art he seeks to celebrate the noble beauty and divine spiritual nature of people of African descent and to connect urban African-American culture to its roots in sacred African art and ceremony.
You can see more of Patricks work on Instagram @patrickdougher and via www.godbodyart.com.