Sculpture - All Together Now
KHIRY Ceramics for the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala
This year the 15 Percent Pledge commissioned KHIRY Studio to make a series of ceramic sculptures for the awardees of their 2023 Gala.
The series, entitled "All Together Now," is Jameel Mohammed's next stage in his greateer experimentation in his art and sculpture practice.
Congratulation to the awardees of the night, 54 Thrones, Sergio Hudson, Puzzles of Color, Hyper Skin, & Busayo!!
Read below for more about the artwork and the event and contact team@khiry.com to inquire on KHIRY Ceramics.
"All Together Now" is made of five hand-built black stoneware sculptures with hand applied gold leaf. Fifteen Percent Pledge gifted each sculpture as a trophy to the winners of their Gala.
This work is inspired by the shapes of Shekere rattles, an instrument that exists in many varieties throughout the diaspora, and is a testament to the innovative uses of natural forms. The figures depicted on the piece are united in their will to move forward, to advance through collective action; a fitting symbol of the trans-diasporic collaboration that has been a fixture of Fifteen Percent Pledge’s world view.
All of the pieces were created by Jameel Mohammed, by hand, at KHIRY Studio in Brooklyn.
Jameel also attended this year's gala, which he described as an honor and one of his favorit events of the year.
This year, Jameel wore an origial KHIRY outfit entitled “5 White Shirts” with KHIRY jewelry.
Here is some of Jameel's reflection on the night:
"It was so moving to see so many beautiful Black folks who are making our mark on this industry, and to witness the true scale of impact that concerted mutual aid and support can have on entrepreneurs and the community at large...
"This year the 15 Percent Pledge commissioned KHIRY Studio to make a series of ceramic sculptures for the awardees, which I have been hand building and refining over the past month. It’s such an incredible joy for me to see them in their beautiful intended context; as markers of a milestone in each entrepreneur’s journey. It meant so much to me to see them loved and cherished by each of the award recipients.
"This commission was a huge milestone for me; marking the expansion of my own sculptural practice. To be seen as the artist I am growing into is a hugely nourishing experience for me, an enormous example of the ways life can bring you what you need and cannot foresee. I made a goal this year of continuing to push my horizons as an artist while building this brand. To have been the second artist asked to complete a series of works for such an important organization (the first was Theaster Gates!) is such a profound encouragement.
"A HUGE congratulations to all of the finalists and award winners, and a HUGE thank you to Fifteen Percent Pledge, Aurora James, Leigh Elyse, and CS Global for trusting me to bring this project to life!"
