Transformer, in partnership with the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, is honored to present LO-LIFE: SEARCHING FOR GOLD, a special one-week exhibition showcasing the work of Yakob Tesfaye. Tesfaye, one of the school’s top graduating seniors, was selected by Transformer staff and the Chair of Duke Ellington’s Visual Arts Department. This new collaboration between Transformer and Duke Ellington School of the Arts celebrates the school’s 50th anniversary and highlights the talent emerging from this renowned public charter arts institution. 

This exhibition explores the plight of rebels, people who shine in spite of the confines society places them in– those that take the scraps they are given to construct a colorful new reality. In Tesfaye’s terms, that is the spirit of a Lo-life. LO-LIFE: SEARCHING FOR GOLD is inspired by the rich story of the 1980’s street gang, the Lo-Lifes, who were devoted to the stealing and wearing of Ralph Lauren clothing. They would pose in large groups and take photos of the clothes, going on to popularize the wearing of Polo and Ralph Lauren in the hip hop community. Ralph Lauren's brand identity is tied to exclusivity, whiteness, and aspirational wealth. The Lo-Lifes flipped that on its head; they took what wasn’t meant for them, the American dream, and made it their own.

The artist uses the story of the gang to symbolize blending the old with the new. He reframes forms of art and self-expression that are valued in the high art world, rejecting the role he is placed in by becoming unapologetically himself. Each piece in this series depicts a Lo-Life in their own right; from members of the original Lo-Lifes, to the first Black Ralph Lauren models, to his aunt Martha Mebratu, to himself.

“I strive to reclaim exclusive spaces in the art world by reclaiming my narrative. I paint intricate, ornate frames to encase my vibrant-colored narratives. This forces my voice to be heard at the same caliber as the renowned artists that fill up the prestigious museums and gallery spaces where stories like mine are often disregarded. My rich Ethiopian American heritage along with my DC upbringing led to me being exposed to many different types of art at a young age. I’ve taken inspiration everywhere from the Smithsonian Museums, to the creative rap and fashion that lit up my childhood, inspiring my love of intertwining the old and the new. This process at its core eliminates the barriers to the appreciation of art.” - Yakob Tesfaye

ABOUT YAKOB TESFAYE/

Recently graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Yakob Tesfaye is a Washington DC based artist and curator who has been shown at The Yard and Ellington gallery. His work can be found in the mayor's private collection, and the collection of Duke Ellington School of the Arts. This fall, he will begin pursuing a degree at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

LO-LIFE: SEARCHING FOR GOLD is underwritten by Chris & Laura Andrews, Todd & Anne Barnes, and Evan & Allana D'Amico. With Duke Ellington Coordination by Elana Casey, Visual Arts Department Chair.