I met Phelonise Willie at the meeting of a local association run by the wonderful Sharufa Rashied-Walker, a fashion designer. You can’t miss noticing Phelonise: she’s sophisticated, smart, original, elegant, expressive and more. Strikingly beautiful, she’s of an undisclosed age.
Phelonise’s first passion was with the theater. She was initially the only black actor in a New York City troupe, until she convinced the director and founder of La MaMa Theater Ellen Stewart to start a black company. She was an actor, and then a playwright, her plays performed at La Mama and other groundbreaking theaters.
Ellen Stewart, founder of La MaMa Theater
She writes, she acts, and she has been wielding a paintbrush for the last 30 years. Her personality naturally led her to create paintings that are gestural yet have a geometric quality to them. Their titles reflect Willie’s rich imagination.
Still Waiting For Godot, Oil on canvas
She grew up in Harlem and now lives in a beautiful brownstone in BedStuy. Walking into her house is like penetrating inside an Ali Baba cave of the arts: it is overflowing with outstanding African artworks, with beautiful objects and furnishings either handed down from her family, or crafted by Willie herself, with photos of shows and of creative friends.
The concept of offering everyone the chance to be a gallerist in their own home appealed to Phelonise Willie, and she has joined Gallery Particulier. We are honored to welcome Phelonise amongst our unique group of artists. Her work can be hosted or purchased.
Phelonise Willie as a 4 year old child in Harlem