Theoplis Smith III, who is also known as "Phresh Laundry," is a primarily self-taught artist whose work comes from an innate need and desire to create. Smith's practice is incredibly unique both for its skill and its unlikely beginnings. As a young child in his hometown of St. Louis, MO he found himself drawn toward the arts, and has slowly but surely pieced together an original form of painting with certain connections to popular culture forms of representation like comic books, and the quick sketches of caricature, paired with the long history of traditional portraiture. Smith’s art brings broad appeal, while staying fresh and keeping a varied approach to the formal aspects of his work.

This work was commissioned as part of a suite of prints that celebrate Black History Month, 2021.