Jamaal B. Sheats
“When I look at a piece of copper, aluminum or brass, I see my reflection of the sum of my thoughts, desires, experiences and influences,” says Sheats. “My work is an extension of myself, my being and each piece tells a different story.”
Jamaal B. Sheats is a native of Brentwood, Tennessee. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in
Art from Fisk University in 2002, Sheats founded Sheats Repousse’, where he specializes in metal relief sculpture. At Fisk, Sheats met Professor Greg Ridley, who became his mentor until his death
in 2004. Ridley introduced the budding young artist to the ancient art form of repoussé.
The introduction was an instant success. They shared a bond that connected Sheats to Ridley's mentor, the famed Aaron Douglas. Their many shared moments as teacher, student, mentor
and friend created a legacy that Sheats holds dear to his heart. Sheats grasped the patience,
fine detail, and precision that this metal relief art form requires. As Sheats hammers and shapes cold, thin plain sheets of metal to human emotion and vulnerability, he shares a novel alternative method of learning and self-expression. Sheats possesses a unique ability to vividly depict moving lines. His creations, which typically take on a life of their own, compel him to produce techniques
that exceed boundaries. His varied style leaves viewers wondering what he will think of next.
Over the last decade Sheats’ art has become more interdisciplinary, with his works spanning from metal relief sculpture and painting, to mixed-media. In an effort to gain perspective, inform his art practice, and breadth of techniques, Sheats has participated in numerous solo and groups exhibits and has gone on three tours of Africa to study African cultures, historic monuments, and artifacts.
While Sheats has a love for art, he has a passion for art education. Thus, he has been a guest
lecturer at Fisk University, the Tugaloo University Art Colony, and Alabama A&M University. In
2011 Sheats received a Master of Fine Art in Studio Art from Tufts University and the School
of the Museum of Fine Art-Boston (SMFA). During this time Sheats was a graduate Teaching Assistant as well. After graduation he was awarded a SMFA Post-graduate Teaching Fellowship.
Jamaal Sheats’ work is currently being shown in galleries and museums in the United States and Asia.
Over the years has received a number of awards and accolades. Highlights include being one of
five “Artists to Watch” in the Boston Globe, and one of the “Shaping the Next Generation of Artist”
in the Nashville Scene. Most recently, Sheats was one of eight Artists commissioned by the Tennessee Art Commission to create works for Nashville’s Music City Center art collection.
Today, Jamaal Sheats continues to tell stories of life, emotion, culture, and history by painting, pulling, carving, hammering, sketching, and engraving on metal, wood, canvas, and other materials.
In 2013 he returned to his alma mater, Fisk University, as a faculty member in the Art Department. He is also preparing to open the Charlotte Art Project, a 2800 square foot studio and project
gallery in Nashville, Tennessee.
Group Exhibitions and Expos:
National Black Fine Art Show Feature artist, SoHo, NY
2004 3rd Prize - Sculpture, U.S. Olympic Art Competition
International Fine Art Expo, New York,
Black Enterprise Entrepreneur's Conference, Nashville, TN
October Gallery International Art Expo, Philadelphia, PA
Capital City Dental Society Art Exhibition, Nashville, TN
ArtCentric, Nashville, TN
Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art, Nashville, TN
Divas Showcase, Nashville, TN
Nashville Symphony Campaign, Nashville, TN
Rotary Club of Middle Tennessee, Nashville, TN
National Black MBA Conference, Nashville, TN
Carl Van Vechten Art Gallery, Nashville, TN
Commissions:
Damion Jackson, New York, NY
Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN
Collections:
Family Peace Gallery, Nashville, TN
The Hurd Agency, Nashville, TN
Gallery at Woodway, Brentwood, TN
Fisk University, Nashville, TN
The Pehl Collection, Eldersburg, MD
Lectures and Seminars:
Milton Hershey School Tour in Nashville, TN
Reach One Teach One Inc., Summer Workshop, Nashville, TN
Creative Arts, Fisk University, Nashville, TN
Arts and Ideas: Studio Lecture, Fisk University, Nashville, TN
Painting 101: TA, Fisk University, Nashville, TN
Professional Affiliations:
Tennessee Arts Commission, member
Creative Artists of Tennessee, member
Tanner Art Society, past president
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, member
Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons, member
Bibliography:
Chris Stowe, " Spotlight: Jamaal," Blinq Magazine. August 2003
Studio Review, Urban Journal. August 2003
Studio Review, Tennessee Tribune . August 2003
Tasneem Grace Tewogbola, " Listening to DuBois,"
The Tennessean. 26 February 2003. Section D, page 1.
Featured Artist, Nashville Pride November 2002