A Narrative of Me
A Baltimore native, Rodney “Buck” Herring, attended Hampton University where he majored in art, and found his voice reading some of the great writers of the 20th century. After graduation, Buck found himself up the parkway from Baltimore, creating art on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. BUCK! Describes his work as “an ongoing conversation with myself in regards to my many artistic influences gathered from daily life and also from seeking information. The viewer gets bits of everything in my work including influences from impressionists, cartoonists, painters, graphic artists and more. My art is often interrupted by my logical thoughts which are then reinterpreted back into a visual representation of its chaos.” A collage of words and impactful imagery, his work is in a category of its own.
With over 25 years of professional experience, Buck delves deep into his own vices in an ongoing journey of spiritual discovery. It is in the contradiction of the human experience that Buck finds beauty. Buck has successfully managed and designed campaigns for national brands including, Heineken, Adidas, Scion, Boost Mobile, Sprint and Timberland. A believer in change, Buck’s art is a reflection and an opportunity for audiences to consider choice. An accomplished designer, his work was a part of the UNCF evening of stars for which the team won a NAACP image award. His work was featured in the 2019 Netflix movie Love Dot Com: The Social Experiment.
BUCK!’s work and further information can be found at www.mbilashaka.com
Mbilishaka is derived from the Swahili saying; Lasima Tushinde Mbilashaka which translates to "We
Shall conquer without a doubt".
Shows and Appearances
"That, Too.", Gallery O on H St., 1354 H St. NE, Washington, DC, 20002
"Palestinian and African American Solidarity", Museum of Palestinian People- MPP, 1900 18th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009
"Words Matter" (Group Show) August 6, 2021-September 25, Arts Center at Highland Park, Highland Park, IL
"What Is Black Art?" (Group Show) w BlkArthouse June 24, 2021-July 25, 202, Eaton Hotel, Washington DC
"BUCKSHOT!" (Two Person Show), Sat, May 8, 2021 3:00 PM -May 29, 2021, Art of Noize, 821 Upshur St. NW, Rear, Washington, DC
"In All Things", January 4, 2021 - January 30, 2021, Art of Noize, 821 Upshur St. NW, Rear, Washington, DC
"Excellence in Visual Arts" Mayor's Arts Awards, Washington, DC, Art of Noize, 821 Upshur St. NW, Rear, Washington, DC
"Ex Stasis" Friday, December 6, 2019 - January 4, 2020, Art of Noize, 821 Upshur St. NW, Rear, Washington, DC
“Meet Your Makers” (Pop Up), March 30, 2019, Old Line Distillery, Baltimore, MD.
“Indelible” (Group Show), Feb. 22, 2019 - May 18, 2019 Gallery O on H St., Washington, DC.
"Point Comfort Art Fair & Show" Thu, Dec 5, 2019, Sun, Dec 8, 2019, Historic Ward Rooming House, Miami, FLA.
“Elizabeth Catlett and the Hampton Arts Tradition” (Group Show) HAL, Dec. 5, 2018 - Jan. 11, 2019, at Art Basel, Miami, FLA.
“Love Dot Com”, Art featured in motion picture. Release 2019.
“Art of ADrink…” (Group Show) Sept. 29, 2018, Art All Night, Washington, DC
“DIVIDE ET IMPERA , Deserves Got Nothing To Do With It” (Solo Show), March 2, 2018 - March 30, 2018, Gallery O on H St., Washington, DC.
“Whiskey, God and Women” (Solo Show), Sept. 3, 2017 - Nov. 24, 2017, MilkBoy ArtHouse, College Park, MD.
Artist Statement
BUCK! utilizes passages of text and varied typography layered with boldly silhouetted or highly contrasted forms to explore the various layers of the human experience. As an impetus for such explorations Buck delves deep into his own vices in an ongoing journey of spiritual discovery. Each piece mirrors the aesthetic of graffiti, emulating its cultural significance - as if a poster or piece of art were not finished unless “the people” were able to provide additional language to express themselves. This body of work, expressed through words and images, reflects the zeitgeist and is designed to expose the emotions of the viewer activating the nerve that connects each one of us to the core of Humanity.
