Darryl Z. Oates – Artist Bio

The beauty, awe, and majesty of nature, along with the complexities of humanity, fuel my work. Capturing the spirit of a subject—whether a simple object or a living being—drives my creative process. Sometimes, this expression takes on a surreal or narrative form.

Oil on canvas is my primary medium, though charcoal on paper plays an essential role in my practice. My influences include Henry Ossawa Tanner, Edgar Degas, Lucian Freud, and William-Adolphe Bouguereau, along with a few inspiring college professors.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1963, I come from a family shaped by the Great Migration. Like many Black Americans of that era, my parents moved north seeking better opportunities and a more just society. Growing up in an urban New England environment at the height of the civil rights movement, social awareness, and pop culture, I found solace in nature, life, and creative expression.

Formal studies in fine arts and sciences at the University of Connecticut and the University of Hartford helped shape my artistic journey. My work has been exhibited throughout Connecticut and New York, and in 2024, I was honored with the Best in Show award at the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts.