“Stolen”: Artist Channels Grief Into Unfinished Portraits Where 1 Year of Life = 1 Minute Of Color

Atatiana Jefferson. 28 years old, 28 minutes of color. Stolen on October 12th, 2019 in Forth Worth, TX.

“Stolen” is a powerful series by artist Adrian Brandon that is dedicated to Black people that were robbed of their lives at the hands of police.

The 11 x 14″ portraits were first drawn with graphite. Brandon then used time as a medium to define how long each portrait was colored in for. 1 year of life = 1 minute of color. The gripping results are unfinished portraits of people whose lives were cut short.

He explains: “I’m fucking done. Like many others, I’m tired of yelling the same story. Im outraged that these cops hold power over us and that people like Amy Cooper dangle that over our heads. How are we supposed to be okay if every week we see someone that looks like us being killed by the ones “trained” to protect us… These officers not only stole a life, but they are draining us all with each life they steal. Reminding us that our lives ain’t worth nothin in their eyes. That they can murder us on camera and go home to their families that night.

Witnessing these stolen lives during COVID adds another layer of helplessness. This series is painful to revisit, but I’m trying to use the pain to fight against them, rather than have them break me–thats what they have always tried to do. This is how I want to be a part of the conversation. RIP George Floyd. We won’t ever forget your name.”

More: Adrian Brandon, Instagram h/t: twistedsister

Ryan Twyman. 24 years old, 24 minutes of color. Stolen on June 6th, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA.

Eric Garner. 43 years old, 43 minutes of color. Stolen July 17, 2014 in Staten Island, New York.

David McAtee. 53 years old, 53 minutes of color. Killed by police on June 1st, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Tony McDade. 38 years old, 38 minutes of color. Killed by police on May 27th, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida.

Sean Reed. 21 years old, 21 minutes of color. Indianapolis police stole his life on May 6th, 2020.

Breonna Taylor. 26 years old, 26 minutes of color. Her story reminded us that we are never safe, even in our own homes.

George Floyd, 46 years old – 46 minutes of color. How badly he deserves a full portrait — a full life.