Dalvin Ross Works
Working primarily in black and grey, my artistic practice explores storytelling through contrast, texture, and materiality. By combining a range of media and unconventional materials, I create works that invite viewers to engage with layered narratives and personal interpretations. The absence of color allows form, light, shadow, and composition to take center stage, revealing the emotional depth and complexity within each piece.
My work is driven by a fascination with memory, experience, and the stories that shape human identity. Whether through drawing, painting, mixed media, or sculptural elements, I use materials as a language of their own—each contributing meaning, history, and character to the narrative. Through experimentation and craftsmanship, I seek to transform ordinary materials into visual stories that encourage reflection, connection, and dialogue.
Each artwork serves as a chapter in an ongoing exploration of the human experience, capturing moments, emotions, and ideas that depicts my experiences from my faith. My goal is not only to create compelling visual compositions but also to inspire viewers to discover their own stories within the work.
“The last will be first, and the first last”
Materials: Charcoal/ wood canvas
Size: 2’x3’
Artist Statement:
This black and grey piece on wood examines the work challenges the disconnect that can exist between belief and action, asking viewers to reflect on how judgment can overshadow empathy. Through texture, shadow, and narrative, the piece invites a conversation about dignity, human worth, and the responsibility of communities to care for those who are often ignored, rejected, or forgotten.
“Do everything in love”
Materials: Charcoal/ wood canvas
Size: 2’x3’
Artist Statement:
This black and grey piece on wood celebrates the timeless beauty of vintage Black love, capturing a moment of deep affection, trust, and devotion between a husband and wife. The composition portrays a man embracing the woman he loves, while she surrenders her heart to him, gently falling back into a chair as a symbol of comfort, vulnerability, and unwavering faith in their bond. Surrounding the couple, burning candles symbolize an eternal flame, representing a love that continues to illuminate their lives through time, hardship, and joy. Through this piece, I honor the richness of Black love.
“Am I my brother’s keeper”
Materials: Charcoal/ wood canvas
Size: 2’x3’
Artist Statement:
This black and grey piece on wood explores the strength of brotherhood and the importance of care within Black culture. The work depicts one brother brushing the hair of another, transforming a simple, everyday act into a powerful expression of love, trust, and connection. In many Black communities, hair care is more than a routine—it is a moment of bonding, nurturing, and affirmation. The halo surrounding one of the figures symbolizes a brother who is physically absent but spiritually present, representing the enduring nature of love and support that continues beyond loss.
“Therefore, take up the full armor of GOD”
Materials: Charcoal/ wood canvas
Size: 2’x3’
Artist Statement:
This black and grey piece on wood tells the story of a warrior burdened by loss, pain, and the weight of countless battles. Kneeling on one knee, his armor is pierced by arrows, each wound representing hardship, disappointment, and sacrifice endured along his journey. Exhausted and broken, he stands at a moment of vulnerability where surrender seems easier than continuing the fight. Yet within this darkness, faith remains his greatest source of strength. Though battered by the trials of life, the warrior clings to his belief in God, finding the courage to rise once more and continue his purpose.
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire…”
Materials: Charcoal/ wood canvas
Size: 2’x3’
Artist Statement:
This black and grey piece on wood explores the relationship between desire, comfort, and the search for peace amidst life's burdens. The composition captures a quiet moment in which a weary man sits in contemplation, smoking as he reflects on the weight of the world resting upon his shoulders. Emerging from the shadows is the figure of a woman whose presence embodies both attraction and tranquility. Though partially concealed, her silhouette and curves symbolize an invitation—not merely to physical desire, but to emotional refuge, understanding, and release. this piece reflects on how intimacy, desire, and companionship can offer a temporary escape from life's struggles, allowing one to let go, find peace, and embrace the present moment.