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Color image of a black and white collage of a silhouetted figure with abstracted features framed in black

Wardell Milan: Photographic Collages

Wardell Milan’s collages often incorporate cut-out photographs, including iconic works from photographers such as Diane Arbus and Robert Mapplethorpe. The collages rebuild the human figure from fragmented sources, creating powerful new portraits.

Color image of framed mixed media collage depicting two silhouettes and an arm on white background — Wardell Milan, The Man of the Soil, 2022

graphite, cut-and-pasted paper on yupo paper, 10-1/4 x 9-1/4 inches (framed) [26 x 23.5 cm]

A color image of a black and white collage framed in black depicting a nude figure with multiple arms posing — Wardell Milan, A. Ailey III., Dancer, N.Y.C., 2023

collage, 13-1/2 x 15 inches (framed) [34.3 x 38.1 cm]

Color image of a collage using white paper to depict a figure in a pose framed in black — Wardell Milan, R. Christian II., Actor, N.Y.C., 2023

collage, 13-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (framed) [34.9 x 40.0 cm]

Color image of a black and white collage depicting a figure in a speedo using negative space framed in black — Wardell Milan, Henri C.D., Bodybuilder, N.Y.C., 2023

collage, 7-3/4 x 9-1/4 inches (framed) [19.6 x 23.5 cm]

Color image of mixed media artwork depicting a singular figure with multiple faces and one arm in grey frame — Wardell Milan, The Engineer, 2022

graphite, oil paste, cut-and-pasted paper on yupo paper, 11-5/8 x 9-3/8 inches (framed) [29.53 x 23.8 cm]

A black and white collage with a figure in the center draped in an American flag — Wardell Milan, Superhero Status, 2023

graphite, china marker, yupo, cut-and-paste paper, 13-5/8 13-5/8 inches (framed) [34.6 x 34.6 cm]

Color image of a black and white collage depicting a figures silhouette with negative space framed in grey stained maple frame — Wardell Milan, Ellison, NYC., 2023

cut-and-paste paper, 13-3/4 x 13 inches (framed) [34.9 x 33 cm]

Color image of a black and white collage depicting a nude male figure with abstracted features framed in black — Wardell Milan, A.M., Ballet Dancer, N.Y.C., 2023

collage, 12 x 12-3/4 inches (framed) [30.4 x 32.3 cm]

Collaged and illustrated portrait — Wardell Milan, Linda K. Knoxville, 2023

graphite, china marker, yupo, cut-and-paste paper , 13-3/8 x 10-1/2 inches (framed) [34 x 26.7 cm]

Color image of a black and white collage with three silhouetted figures framed in black — Wardell Milan, Bayard R. II., Activist, N.Y.C., 2023

collage, 9-3/4 x 15 inches (framed) 24.7 x 38.1 cm]

Wardell MilanParis D. II., N.Y.C.

2023

collage, 12 x 12-3/4 inches (framed) [30.4 x 32.3 cm]

Wardell MilanThe Man of the Soil

2022

graphite, cut-and-pasted paper on yupo paper, 10-1/4 x 9-1/4 inches (framed) [26 x 23.5 cm]

Wardell MilanA. Ailey III., Dancer, N.Y.C.

2023

collage, 13-1/2 x 15 inches (framed) [34.3 x 38.1 cm]

Wardell MilanR. Christian II., Actor, N.Y.C.

2023

collage, 13-3/4 x 15-3/4 inches (framed) [34.9 x 40.0 cm]

Wardell MilanHenri C.D., Bodybuilder, N.Y.C.

2023

collage, 7-3/4 x 9-1/4 inches (framed) [19.6 x 23.5 cm]

Wardell MilanThe Engineer

2022

graphite, oil paste, cut-and-pasted paper on yupo paper, 11-5/8 x 9-3/8 inches (framed) [29.53 x 23.8 cm]

Wardell MilanSuperhero Status

2023

graphite, china marker, yupo, cut-and-paste paper, 13-5/8 13-5/8 inches (framed) [34.6 x 34.6 cm]

Wardell MilanEllison, NYC.

2023

cut-and-paste paper, 13-3/4 x 13 inches (framed) [34.9 x 33 cm]

Wardell MilanA.M., Ballet Dancer, N.Y.C.

2023

collage, 12 x 12-3/4 inches (framed) [30.4 x 32.3 cm]

Wardell MilanLinda K. Knoxville

2023

graphite, china marker, yupo, cut-and-paste paper , 13-3/8 x 10-1/2 inches (framed) [34 x 26.7 cm]

Wardell MilanBayard R. II., Activist, N.Y.C.

2023

collage, 9-3/4 x 15 inches (framed) 24.7 x 38.1 cm]

Color image of a warm toned etching depicting three figures in a field of flowers

Wardell Milan: Etchings

Color image of a warm toned etching depicting two figures embracing in a natural landscape — Lovers, taking in the air., 2023

aquatint, burnishing, line etching, scraping, spit bit aquatint & lino-cut, 59-5/8 x 48-1/4 inches (framed) [151.4 x 122.6 cm], edition of 16

Black and white etching of a figure riding a large phallus with distortions of American flags throughout — Wardell Milan, Trump riding his own dick., 2019

aquatint, line etching & dry point print, 15-3/4 x 19-3/4 inches (sheet) [40 x 50 cm]

Black and white photograph of a nude figure lounging in a chair with an eye mask and gun at their side — Wardell Milan, The most dangerous thing about being a Black woman in America. Is being a Black woman in America, 2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 15-1/2 x 19-5/8 inches (sheet) [39.5 x 50 cm]

Black and white etching depicting two figures engaging in a sexual act while a fire rages on outside — Wardell Milan, We are a War County. This is War time., 2019

aquatint, line etching & dry point print, 15-3/4 x 19-3/4 inches (sheet) [40 x 50 cm]

Black and white etching of a mannequin near a television outside with debris from an explosion — Wardell Milan, Fire, Debris and Charred Mannequins: A Missile Strike Hits a ___ Shopping Center, 2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 19-5/8 x 15-1/2 inches (sheet) [50 x 39.5 cm]

Black and white etching of a figure looking at the viewer through windows — Wardell Milan, I never spend this much time with myself, 2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 15-1/2 x 19-5/8 inches (sheet) [39.5 x 50 cm]

Black and white etching of a figure with multiple facial features leaning against a hand rail — Wardell Milan, Sisyphus Ascending a Staircase, 2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 19-5/8 x 15-1/2 inches (sheet) [50 x 39.5 cm]

Black and white etching depicting figures walking within a desert like climate — Wardell Milan, __ Migrants arrive to __ in Record Numbers, on Foot Not by Boat, 2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 15-1/2 x 19-5/8 inches (sheet) [39.5 x 50 cm]

Black and white etching of several figures in a verbal and physical altercation — Wardell Milan, The World Rarely Goes Under: Civilians during a lull in fighting, 2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 15-1/2 x 19-5/8 inches (sheet) [39.5 x 50 cm]

Black and white etching of several figures engaging with a waterfall — Wardell Milan, Our Lives to Live, 2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 15-1/2 x 19-5/8 inches (sheet) [39.5 x 50 cm]

Lovers, taking in the air.

2023

aquatint, burnishing, line etching, scraping, spit bit aquatint & lino-cut, 59-5/8 x 48-1/4 inches (framed) [151.4 x 122.6 cm], edition of 16

Wardell MilanTrump riding his own dick.

2019

aquatint, line etching & dry point print, 15-3/4 x 19-3/4 inches (sheet) [40 x 50 cm]

Wardell MilanThe most dangerous thing about being a Black woman in America. Is being a Black woman in America

2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 15-1/2 x 19-5/8 inches (sheet) [39.5 x 50 cm]

Wardell MilanWe are a War County. This is War time.

2019

aquatint, line etching & dry point print, 15-3/4 x 19-3/4 inches (sheet) [40 x 50 cm]

Wardell MilanFire, Debris and Charred Mannequins: A Missile Strike Hits a ___ Shopping Center

2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 19-5/8 x 15-1/2 inches (sheet) [50 x 39.5 cm]

Wardell MilanI never spend this much time with myself

2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 15-1/2 x 19-5/8 inches (sheet) [39.5 x 50 cm]

Wardell MilanSisyphus Ascending a Staircase

2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 19-5/8 x 15-1/2 inches (sheet) [50 x 39.5 cm]

Wardell MilanHe darts his tongue out of his tingling lips.

2023

aquatint, burnishing, line etching, scraping & spit bite aquatint; woodcut & lino-cut, 48-7/8 x 59-1/2 inches (framed) [124.1 x 151.1 cm], edition of 16

Wardell Milan Migrants arrive to in Record Numbers, on Foot Not by Boat

2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 15-1/2 x 19-5/8 inches (sheet) [39.5 x 50 cm]

Wardell MilanThe World Rarely Goes Under: Civilians during a lull in fighting

2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 15-1/2 x 19-5/8 inches (sheet) [39.5 x 50 cm]

Wardell MilanOur Lives to Live

2022

line etching, aquatint, open bite, spit bite aquatint, soft ground etching, soap ground aquatint, sugar lift aquatint with burnishing & scraping, 15-1/2 x 19-5/8 inches (sheet) [39.5 x 50 cm]

All Portfolios

Color image of a mixed media artwork of a nude figure standing with silver background framed in grey frame

Wardell Milan: Paintings

Wardell Milan’s paintings often incorporate a range of materials, including oils and acrylics, spray paint, house paint, and silver leaf. His ongoing series of tulip paintings are a kind of self-portraiture, originally inspired by the 17th-century Dutch tulip craze.

Color image of a painting depicting an abstracted rendering of three purple tulips — Wardell Milan, 3 purple tulips., 2023

oil, charcoal, acrylic, china marker & graphite on panel, 25-1/2 x 31-1/2 inches (framed) [64.8 x 80 cm]

Painting of a blue and teal nude figure sitting in a arch shaped wash of blue on a silver leaf background. — Wardell Milan, Sitting in her adornments., 2023

graphite, acrylic, china marker, graphite, silver leaf & cut-and-paste yupo paper on panel, 21-1/2 x 31-1/2 inches (framed) [54.6 x 31.5 cm]

Painting of a gestural blue tulip on a silver leaf background framed in a wood frame — Wardell Milan, A single blue tulip., 2023

oil, charcoal, graphite, acrylic, china marker & silver leaf on panel, 31-1/2 x 25-1/2 inches (framed) [80 x 64.8 cm]

Color image of a mixed media artwork of a nude figure laying down with silver background framed in grey frame — Wardell Milan, Noelle lying in liberation, 2022

silver leaf, acrylic, charcoal, graphite, china marker and color pencil on panel, 25-1/4 x 37-1/4 inches (framed) [64.1 x 94.6 cm]

Painting of blue and yellow tulips on a pale off white colored background in a light wood frame — Wardell Milan, Bouquet of tulips., 2023

oil, charcoal, acrylic, china marker & graphite on panel, 25-1/2 x 31-1/2 inches (framed) [64.8 x 80 cm]

Wardell MilanJacqueline, New York City

2022

silver leaf, acrylic, charcoal, graphite, china marker and color pencil on panel, 41-1/4 x 31-1/4 inches (framed) [104.7 x 79.3 cm]

Wardell Milan3 purple tulips.

2023

oil, charcoal, acrylic, china marker & graphite on panel, 25-1/2 x 31-1/2 inches (framed) [64.8 x 80 cm]

Wardell MilanSitting in her adornments.

2023

graphite, acrylic, china marker, graphite, silver leaf & cut-and-paste yupo paper on panel, 21-1/2 x 31-1/2 inches (framed) [54.6 x 31.5 cm]

Wardell MilanA single blue tulip.

2023

oil, charcoal, graphite, acrylic, china marker & silver leaf on panel, 31-1/2 x 25-1/2 inches (framed) [80 x 64.8 cm]

Wardell MilanNoelle lying in liberation

2022

silver leaf, acrylic, charcoal, graphite, china marker and color pencil on panel, 25-1/4 x 37-1/4 inches (framed) [64.1 x 94.6 cm]

Wardell MilanBouquet of tulips.

2023

oil, charcoal, acrylic, china marker & graphite on panel, 25-1/2 x 31-1/2 inches (framed) [64.8 x 80 cm]

Color image of a mixed media artwork depicting a nude figure gazing at the viewer while holding a disembodied hand

Wardell Milan: Works on Paper

Artist Wardell Milan works in mixed media, combining elements of photography, drawing, painting, and collage. Often incorporating cut-out photographs (including iconic images by artists such as Diane Arbus and Robert Mapplethorpe), Milan’s work imagines spaces where the marginalized body is able to express itself and move about the world freely.

Color image of a mixed media collage depicting three female figures wearing silver leaf bikinis and flexing their muscles framed in a polished aluminum frame — Wardell Milan, Melina, Monique, Andrea flexing., 2023

charcoal, graphite, china marker, pastel, wood block print on paper, 41-3/8 x 43 inches (framed) [105.1 x 109.2 cm], unique

Color image of a mixed media artwork depicting a female bodybuilder flexing — Wardell Milan, Carriejune, 2023

charcoal, graphite & silver leaf on paper, 46 x 32-1/8 inches (framed) [116.8 x 81.6 cm], unique

Image of a mixed media painting of a group of people playing in the shallow ocean surf framed in a blue stained wood — Wardell Milan, The cruel Mediterranean Sea, 2023

charcoal, graphite, acrylic, color pencil, pastel, oil pastel & cut-and-paste paper, 54-3/4 x 76-1/4 inches (framed) [139.1 x 193.7 cm], unique

Color image of a mixed media artwork depicting four figures looking upwards amongst flowers and foliage framed in ebony — Wardell Milan, Bombs in applesauce., 2023

charcoal, graphite, acrylic, etching, color pencil, pastel, oil pastel & cut-and-paste paper, 43-3/8 x 58-1/8 inches (framed) [110.2 x 147.6 cm], unique

Black and white collage of a garden with nude women's torsos interspersed — Wardell Milan, One spring afternoon in 2019. 5 women who could engage your imagination., 2021

color pencil, china marker, acrylic, oil pastel, spray paint, cut and pasted paper on inkjet print, 44-1/4 x 61-1/4 inches (framed) [112.4 x 155.6 cm]

A collage of two nude figures embracing, on the canvas of a black and white park scene. The figures are surrounded by bright blue lines and shapes. — Wardell Milan, Be a good boy and put this on, 2020

charcoal, graphite, acrylic paint, color pencil, pastel, oil pastel, china marker, yupo paper, Polaroid film, cut-and-pasted paper on inkjet print, 43-1/8 x 61-1/8 inches (framed) [109.5 x 155.3 cm]

Color image of a mixed media collage made with black and white photographs and swatches of white and blue paint — Wardell Milan, Two women lounging in sanctuaries., 2022

charcoal, silver leaf, Polaroid, embossed paper, printed paper, cut-out-paper, on paper, 58-1/4 x 42-3/4 inches (framed) [147.9 x 108.5 cm], unique

Color image of black and white mixed media collage depicting a semi nude female figure amongst flowers framed in aluminum — Wardell Milan, Lady Jane, 2023

graphite, pen, silver leaf, cut-and-paste paper on yupo, 16 x 13 inches (framed) [40.6 x 33 cm], unique

A white collage of a Klansman. — Wardell Milan, Amerika: Klansman, Patty, 2020

cut and pasted printed paper, 18-5/8 x 14-1/4 inches framed [47.3 x 36.2 cm], unique

Color image of a mixed media collage depicting a nude figure with a white hood strapped by the genitals on a wooden device — Wardell Milan, A restrained insurrectionist. With his balls stretched by weights., 2023

graphite, china marker, ink, acrylic, cut-and-paste paper on yupo, 13-3/8 x 16-3/8 inches (framed) [34 x 41.6 cm], unique

Color image of a mixed media collage depicting a figure in a jockstrap holding another figure in white hood in bondage — Wardell Milan, Terrell with an obedient insurrectionist., 2023

graphite, china marker, ink, acrylic, cut-and-paste paper on yupo, 16-3/8 x 13-3/8 inches (framed) [41.6 x 34 cm], unique

A framed drawing of an abstract blue and pink face. — Wardell Milan, Erwin Norton, 2018

charcoal, graphite, pastel, oil pastel, acrylic paint, cut-and-paste paper on hand dyed paper, 45-5/8 x 33-1/4 inches (framed) [115.9 x 84.5 cm]

A framed drawing of an abstract multi-hued face and hand, floating on a brown color field. — Wardell Milan, Oliver Brown, 2018

charcoal, graphite, pastel, oil pastel, acrylic paint, cut-and-paste paper on hand dyed paper, 45-5/8 x 33-1/4 inches (framed) [115.9 x 84.5 cm]

A diptych of two framed collages. The one on the left is of two figures confronting in either an embrace or a fight, and the one on the right is of a figure in front of a building's door. Both are on black and white photographs. — Wardell Milan, 2014/2020 202 Bay St., Staten Island, 2020

charcoal, graphite, oil pastel, pastel, cut and pasted paper on two inkjet prints, 42-3/4 x 43-3/4 inches (each, framed) [108.6 x 111.1 cm], unique

Wardell MilanThe Divine Feminine. Jesús.

2023

charcoal, graphite, color pencil, pastel & oil pastel on paper, 32-3/8 x 24-7/8 inches (framed) [82.2 x 63.2 cm], unique

Wardell MilanMelina, Monique, Andrea flexing.

2023

charcoal, graphite, china marker, pastel, wood block print on paper, 41-3/8 x 43 inches (framed) [105.1 x 109.2 cm], unique

Wardell MilanCarriejune

2023

charcoal, graphite & silver leaf on paper, 46 x 32-1/8 inches (framed) [116.8 x 81.6 cm], unique

Wardell MilanStefi

2023

charcoal, graphite & silver leaf on paper, 46 x 32-1/8 inches (framed) [116.8 x 81.6 cm], unique

Wardell MilanThe cruel Mediterranean Sea

2023

charcoal, graphite, acrylic, color pencil, pastel, oil pastel & cut-and-paste paper, 54-3/4 x 76-1/4 inches (framed) [139.1 x 193.7 cm], unique

Wardell MilanBombs in applesauce.

2023

charcoal, graphite, acrylic, etching, color pencil, pastel, oil pastel & cut-and-paste paper, 43-3/8 x 58-1/8 inches (framed) [110.2 x 147.6 cm], unique

Wardell MilanOne spring afternoon in 2019. 5 women who could engage your imagination.

2021

color pencil, china marker, acrylic, oil pastel, spray paint, cut and pasted paper on inkjet print, 44-1/4 x 61-1/4 inches (framed) [112.4 x 155.6 cm]

Wardell MilanBe a good boy and put this on

2020

charcoal, graphite, acrylic paint, color pencil, pastel, oil pastel, china marker, yupo paper, Polaroid film, cut-and-pasted paper on inkjet print, 43-1/8 x 61-1/8 inches (framed) [109.5 x 155.3 cm]

Wardell MilanTwo women lounging in sanctuaries.

2022

charcoal, silver leaf, Polaroid, embossed paper, printed paper, cut-out-paper, on paper, 58-1/4 x 42-3/4 inches (framed) [147.9 x 108.5 cm], unique

Wardell MilanLady Jane

2023

graphite, pen, silver leaf, cut-and-paste paper on yupo, 16 x 13 inches (framed) [40.6 x 33 cm], unique

Wardell MilanAmerika: Klansman, Patty

2020

cut and pasted printed paper, 18-5/8 x 14-1/4 inches framed [47.3 x 36.2 cm], unique

Wardell MilanA restrained insurrectionist. With his balls stretched by weights.

2023

graphite, china marker, ink, acrylic, cut-and-paste paper on yupo, 13-3/8 x 16-3/8 inches (framed) [34 x 41.6 cm], unique

Wardell MilanTerrell with an obedient insurrectionist.

2023

graphite, china marker, ink, acrylic, cut-and-paste paper on yupo, 16-3/8 x 13-3/8 inches (framed) [41.6 x 34 cm], unique

Wardell MilanErwin Norton

2018

charcoal, graphite, pastel, oil pastel, acrylic paint, cut-and-paste paper on hand dyed paper, 45-5/8 x 33-1/4 inches (framed) [115.9 x 84.5 cm]

Wardell MilanOliver Brown

2018

charcoal, graphite, pastel, oil pastel, acrylic paint, cut-and-paste paper on hand dyed paper, 45-5/8 x 33-1/4 inches (framed) [115.9 x 84.5 cm]

Wardell Milan2014/2020 202 Bay St., Staten Island

2020

charcoal, graphite, oil pastel, pastel, cut and pasted paper on two inkjet prints, 42-3/4 x 43-3/4 inches (each, framed) [108.6 x 111.1 cm], unique