Ulysses Jenkins, Artist

King David , 1978

Just as Jenkins captured his professor Charles White in In The Spirit of Charles White, he also documented his friend the artist David Hammons, who was also a student of White's. Filmed in Los Angeles in the period just before Hammons moved to New York City, King David records this pivotal moment in his artistic career. In the video, Hammons discusses his motivations and also reveals his presence in the documentary to be part of an artistic performance. His commentary plays a vital role in the film, as the artist discusses various aspects of being a visual artist and a black man, as well as the creative relationship between these facets of his identity.