‘Out the Mind of Madness:’ Local artist gallery partially benefits empowerment organization

Brian Revere began his career as an artist when he was 12 years old and has been creating ever since in an attempt to keep physical art alive.

“Everything we do in life has art to it,” Revere said. 

But as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more widely accessible, Revere said he feels physical art is becoming a “dead language” to some people.

“I’m trying to bring about a reverence to this language,” he said.

Until Oct. 31, choice pieces of Revere’s artwork from 1995 to 2026 will be on display at the Snazzy Boutique on 211 S. Elm St., showcasing his ideas related to his upbringing, spirituality, life and religion.

The gallery, called “Out the Mind of Madness,” debuted on Sept. 23 with pieces like “At Ease,” “Wake Up” and “We Didn’t Ask you to Come Here” exploring themes of spiritual sovereignty, history and resistance against colonization, according to Revere.

Revere uses a style he calls “cloud drawing,” in which the effect is similar to looking at the sky and seeing shapes “come to life,” he said. He uses airbrush, acrylics, sculpture, photography and other mediums to create layered pieces that tell a story.

“At Ease,” one of the older pieces in Revere’s collection, combines sculpture and airbrush painting to depict someone breaking free of the prison they’ve created for themselves, he said.

Another piece, “Am I My Brother’s Keeper? ‘Yes I Am,’” explores the duality of being born Black in urban America, while “Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are,” painted for the Pride exhibit at the Oxford Community Arts Center, symbolizes accepting oneself.

Revere’s favorite piece, not for sale, is a painting titled “Jack of Spades” memorializing his late cousin.

“It’s a journey into my world, my life,” Revere said of the gallery.

He said the name of the gallery comes from others’ perceptions of him, the situations in life and experiences of Black people that create “madness.”

In addition to his sculptures and paintings, Revere said he also expresses himself through lyricism. He said of how his art is made, “I just trust the process.”

“That’s everything I do – just believing in the Lord, trusting the process,” he said.

A third of the sales from Revere’s work will go toward his 501(c)7 organization, O.N.E.UNITED (Organization, Networking and Empowerment), to host the third annual Juneteenth celebration in 2027 in Uptown Oxford. 

Remaining proceeds will go toward hosting other events Revere said he aspires to bring to Oxford through O.N.E.UNITED. Current ideas include an “Ancestor Day,” “World Day,” in which locals would come together to celebrate their cultural heritage, and “Taste of Mahogany,” which would feature Black food vendors.

“I’m trying to … bring more events into the community and work with other organizations … who are (about) inclusiveness within the community, housing and just awareness for all,” he said. 

Anyone wishing to contribute to O.N.E.UNITED can make a donation at First Financial Bank at 411 S. Locust St. in the organization’s name.