The Legacy of Ronnie Rice by Courtney Jolliff

This is a contemporary mixed-media painting on an irregular, white, non-traditional substrate, possibly cardboard or thick recycled paper, created by artist Courtney Jolliff for the 2024 exhibition 'Service' in Detroit, Michigan. The piece features a group portrait of approximately nine figures depicted in a neo-expressionist, figurative style. The figures, likely symbolizing the community that supported Jolliff during his 2022 period of homelessness, are rendered with brown skin, faceless features, and bold black outlines. They wear vibrant clothing in shades of pink, yellow, and blue. A recurring motif is the yellow crown atop each figure's head, suggesting divinity or inherent worth. The work utilizes heavy impasto or thick acrylic application, particularly visible in the textured white background. A bold black signature or tag is located at the top center. The edges of the substrate are rough and uneven, reinforcing the raw, grassroots aesthetic of the 'Service' show. The painting sits on a small wooden display easel atop a rustic, worn wooden tabletop, showing no significant signs of age-related deterioration given its very recent production.