Greetings, all,
I am grateful to have the skill, time, and materials to complete this painting of Mark Thomas Gibson as part of my ongoing Black Male Artist Professor Series. Funding this art practice is not easy, but I’m managing to get through it.
Mark Thomas Gipson, also known as #darthgibson, is an exceptional artist, scholar, professor, and creative force whose work challenges, heals, and reimagines Black identity and presence.
Symbolic Representation of Mark Thomas Gibson
Acrylic and paper on canvas
36” x 48”
2025
As of August 27, 2025, I have completed this painting, which will be exhibited in my solo doctoral art exhibition at the Macy Art Gallery, located in Teachers College, Columbia University.
My solo doctoral art exhibition will be from October 27 to November 20, 2025. The reception for this exhibition will take place on Thursday, October 30th, from 5–7 pm.
Mark’s interdisciplinary practice bridges fine art, Afrofuturism, and cultural critique, grounded in deep academic inquiry and personal truth. As a professor and thought leader, his influence extends far beyond the classroom—amplifying Black narratives, mentoring the next generation, and reshaping the visual arts landscape.
Painting his portrait is not only a tribute—it’s a visual acknowledgment of his impact, visibility, and intellectual legacy within and beyond the academy.
Stay tuned for the final shot of the painting and insights as I honor his journey through paint, texture, and storytelling.
hashtagBlackMaleArtistProfessorSeries hashtagLigelLambert hashtagMarkThomasGipson hashtagDarthGibson hashtagBlackExcellence hashtagAfrofuturism hashtagContemporaryBlackArt hashtagArtAndEducation hashtagInterdisciplinaryArtist hashtagPortraitSeries hashtagBlackArtistsMatter hashtagVisualStorytelling hashtagrepresentationmatters hashtagfundsneeded hashtagsupportingsmallbusinesses
Teachers College, Columbia University
Columbia University
University of West Florida
RMIT University
RMIT University Alumni
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD)
Rutgers University