Biography

Originally from Chicago, Julian V.L. Gaines now lives and works in Portland, Oregon. He received his BFA in Drawing and Painting from Northern Michigan University in 2015. Gaines’ narrative addresses activism, education, and tells stories that need to be told.  He collaborated with Nike to create the collection “Game Worn”. As part of the sneaker release, he led a weeklong workshop that included art classes at Chicago’s South Shore Cultural Center. Gaines has received editorials from Northern Magazine, HYPEBEAST, and The New York Times. In December 2020, his artwork was featured on the cover of New York Magazine. His work has been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions, and is in notable private, public, and corporate collections, including NIKE, Beaverton, OR; Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR, and SoHo House, Portland, OR.

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