Former Eagle Malcolm Jenkins Connects with the Art of a Baltimore Artist
During a visit to Manhattan’s James Cohan Gallery in 2024, former Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins encountered a painting that profoundly resonated with him. As he was about to leave the gallery, the artwork, still unhung and discreetly leaning against the wall, captured his attention and imagination.
The piece, titled “Like Father, Like Son,” depicts a Black man in a blue jacket listening to a record, accompanied by a small child mirroring his pose. This imagery conveyed the timeless transfer of influence across generations, prompting Jenkins to reflect on the familial legacies of habits, morals, and anxieties that shape both his own identity and his role as a father to two daughters.
Through this artwork, Jenkins recognized a universal narrative, particularly within the context of Black experiences, highlighting how stories can bridge personal histories and shared experiences. He expressed appreciation for how these narratives facilitate a deeper understanding of collective identity and memory, emphasizing their significance.
Upon acquiring the painting, Jenkins incorporated it into his growing art collection, placing it prominently in his Louisiana home alongside portraits of his grandfathers and his own vinyl records. Recently, “Like Father, Like Son” was selected to feature in the first solo exhibition of the Baltimore-based artist Jerrell Gibbs at the Brandywine Museum of Art. The exhibit, titled “Jerrell Gibbs: No Solace in the Shade,” showcases Gibbs’ artistic evolution over his first decade, featuring large-scale works that explore multifaceted layers of Black life in America.
Gibbs’ paintings are rooted in his own childhood memories and draw heavily from family photography, aiming to forge connections between his past and present. He believes authenticity in art stems from real experiences, which he endeavors to convey through his work, enabling viewers to connect on a deeper emotional level.
Both Jenkins and Gibbs share a commitment to storytelling and a recognition of the universal threads that bind humanity. Jenkins, who has embraced art collecting as a post-retirement passion, actively engages with artists to foster community engagement, viewing art as an essential vessel for preserving and promoting marginalized narratives.
Since his retirement in 2022, Jenkins has sought to elevate Black art and artists, believing in the importance of showcasing stories that have historically been overlooked. His dedication to art collecting reflects a personal mission intertwined with broader community activism, aiming to enrich the representation of Black experiences in the art world.
The exhibition “Jerrell Gibbs: No Solace in the Shade” will be on display at the Brandywine Museum of Art until March 1, 2026. For additional information on the exhibition and associated programs, visit Media News Source.
