In the thick of the global pandemic of 2020—a time of collective heartbreak, isolation, and profound uncertainty—a creative spark found its way into an unexpected space. A 2,000 sq. ft. studio, provided by a local brewery, became both a sanctuary and a laboratory for massive, experimental expression. What began as a solitary exploration by Adam O’Day quickly evolved into a collaborative force when friends Pete Cosmos, Merk, and Ivonne Blanco joined in. Together, the four artists created over a dozen large-scale works that served as vessels for processing grief, joy, anxiety, and hope.
Fueled by the rhythmic pulse of Nigerian Funky Disco—particularly the transcendent sounds of William Onyeabor’s Good Name, with its telling lyric “silver and gold”—the sessions were part therapy, part celebration. These paintings are layered with the chaos and calm we all felt: fractured figures, vivid collisions of color, random symbolism, and collaged moments that echo the fragmented nature of memory and emotion during a global crisis.
Back then, only about twenty people saw these works in person, as the pandemic limited access to those who reserved private viewings. Now, five years later, Black Walls Gallery offers a chance to open this moment in time to a broader audience.
All the Silver and Gold is more than a collection of paintings—it’s a time capsule of resilience, collaboration, and the healing power of art and music. We invite you to step into that moment with us, to find your own reflections within the chaos and color—and maybe, to dance a little on your way out.
