BIO

Ricardo Osmondo Francis Jr was born September 8, 1976 in Houston, TX. As a visual artist, he is commited to producing works of art that reflect, represent, and reanalyze present day socio-political issues - especially that of the black experience. He is also a founding member of the alternative visual art group BLAFTCO, who since 1992 has created a variety of community based, innovative multi-media projects and exhibitions such as: "The New Museum "1994, "Public Opinion" 1996, and "All Sizes/Real People" 1997.

His solo shows have included "Discoveries:The Four Series" 1991 and "Catch the Monkeys" 1996, as well as group exhibitions like "Xtreme-Xteriors" 2001, "Urban + Pop" 1999, and "Third Ward/First World" 1992. Mr. Francis' awards includes a Level 1 scholarship award in painting from both Musicfest and the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts, as well being a coveted 1994 Presidential Scholar in the Arts on behalf of the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. His works reside in both corporate and private collections in Houston, Baltimore, Charlottesville, and New York City. His work can also be found in publications such as "Callaloo" - a literary magazine for African-American literature.