Multidisciplinary Artist and Apparel Designer
Bio
Omari Jesse is a multidisciplinary artist and apparel designer based in Washington DC. Born in the heart of the DC metropolitan area, Jesse was immersed in a vibrant tapestry of culture and community from an early age, a foundation that continues to deeply inform his creative practice. His work centers around evocative collages that feature friends, family, and figures from his local neighborhood, capturing the spirit and stories of his community through a personal lens. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia State University, Jesse returned home to launch his own apparel line, a brand that explores the cultural richness and singular character of his city through screen-printed and embroidered garments, as well as bespoke home décor pieces. While building his brand, Jesse has remained committed to his fine art practice, creating both collages and oil paintings that document and celebrate the world around him. In addition to his studio work, he also currently serves as an art instructor where he mentors young artists in developing their creative voices and foundational visual art skills.
When do you first remember being creative, and what first drew you to it?
I first realized I was creative at a very young age, as early as five or six years old. At that time, my creativity expressed itself through performance, dancing, acting, and exploring movement and expression. I was drawn to the energy of being seen and the way performance could communicate emotion and story without needing words. As I entered high school, I became deeply fascinated by the power of an image, how a single visual could speak, represent, and hold a multitude of meanings all at once. This realization pushed me to pursue visual art more seriously, particularly observational drawing and painting. I focused heavily on portraiture and figurative work, studying the human form and expression as a way to capture emotion, identity, and narrative.
How did you pick your medium?
Over time, I began to feel that oil paint, the medium I had explored most extensively, no longer fulfilled me in the way it once had. I found myself questioning what medium could better support my evolving ideas and emotional instincts. After much deliberation and experimentation, I discovered collage. From the moment I encountered collage works, I felt a visceral reaction. The tactile nature of the materials, the layered storytelling, and the striking contrasts in texture immediately inspired and energized me. I was also struck by how intuitively I understood the medium; working with collage felt natural and fluid, allowing ideas to take form quickly.
Who do you look up to?
I am especially drawn to the work of Cato right now, particularly the way his pieces reach such large scales while remaining deeply rooted in collage. His ability to expand the medium without losing its layered foundation has encouraged me to challenge myself to scale my own work larger, something I am actively exploring. I am also inspired by Kaima Marie’s work; her approach demonstrates that although collage is a widely used medium, it is still possible to develop a strong, recognizable signature style. Deborah Roberts will always be one of my favorite artists. Her full-figured subjects, paired with simple backgrounds, continue to inspire me. Further, the way she has built a successful career through collage, both artistically and commercially is of note to me.
What questions or ideas are you most interested in exploring right now?
Currently, my practice is centered on exploring how intimate moments within the Black American experience can be concretized and preserved — even if these moments that may feel mundane on the surface. I am also drawn to questions of nostalgia: how familiar moments, spaces, and gestures can be platformed within my work to evoke memory and collective recognition. Ultimately, I am asking how my work can foster a sense of community, how it can bring Black folks together through shared experiences, allowing viewers to see themselves reflected in the imagery and to feel connected through moments that resonate as familiar and lived.
What are you currently working on or thinking about next?
Looking ahead, I am currently working toward my first solo exhibition, scheduled for this coming September. At the same time, I am in the midst of producing prints to sell through my website, allowing people to purchase my work and live with it in their own spaces. Alongside this, I am looking forward to a juried show at the Phillips Collection I am part of in the late spring. I am also actively applying to various artist residency programs and art fairs in major cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
I would like to thank my parents and my sister for their unwavering support. Having such a strong and encouraging foundation from an early age has undoubtedly contributed to my evolution, growth, and confidence as an artist. Without that support system, I am not sure how far along I would be today, or whether I would have had the perspective to dream larger and more expansively. Their belief in me has been essential to both my personal and creative journey.
RECENT ACcomplishments
I had the opportunity to participate in Umbrella Art Fair in Washington, DC, an artist-led fair that prioritizes emerging and independent artists by providing an accessible platform to exhibit work outside of traditional commercial models. The fair emphasizes experimentation, community, and direct engagement between artists and audiences. Additionally, I was selected for the Dual Currency exhibition presented by Revolt Art Fair during Miami Art Basel. Being included in this show allowed my work to exist within a larger international art context and affirmed the growing visibility and momentum of my practice.
Final thoughts
Art is not created in a vacuum, it requires access to resources such as financial support, materials, and physical spaces in order to be produced and sustained. Beyond tangible resources, artists also rely on consistent encouragement, visibility, and engagement from their communities. Creative practices function within an ecosystem, one where collective investment allows artists to grow, take risks, and continue producing meaningful work. When communities show up for artists, they are not only supporting individual creators but also nurturing the cultural life and shared narratives of the community as a whole.
