Upstate artists pay tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman through artwork

ANDERSON, SC (WSPA) – Artists from upstate use their paintbrushes to pay tribute to actor Chadwick Boseman, who died Friday after a four-year battle with colon cancer.

As the town of Anderson prepares to honor Boseman’s life on Thursday, painters take their pain and turn it into masterpieces that will keep his memory alive forever.

With stencils and paint, the artist pays homage to Boseman who rose to fame playing in Hollywood hits like “Get on Up”, “42” and the internationally acclaimed film “Black Panther”.

Patro Ulmer said Boseman’s death inspired him to get down to work on a 36-by-48 image of the artist this weekend. His piece will be presented at the city’s memorial event on Thursday.

“What came to my mind when Chadwick died was shocking because the roles he was playing were so powerful,” Ulmer said.

Ulmer said he immediately wanted to put his stencil on the canvas as a way to cope.

” I do not speak alot. I speak through a brush, so I say to show my expression and my grief. I had to go out and do it, ”Ulmer said.

Ulmer and Shaquille Ellis have said that Boseman’s incredible life and talents are a work of art, and they want to keep it alive by capturing people’s eyes.

“I know we have our Captain Americas, our Iron Man and things like that, but for African American culture, he was our superhero that we felt attached to,” Ellis said.

“He lived the life of an artist. I always say live like an artist, ”said Ulmer, who owns an art studio in downtown Anderson.

Both said the similarity kept them deeply connected with Boseman, who started out from humble beginnings in their same city. They said it was her fight and her off-camera character that inspired them the most.

“It gave me a new perspective as he went through four years of treatments and all kinds of surgeries. And no one knew that,” Ulmer said.

Whether it’s acting like Boseman or using brushes like Ulmer and Ellis, they hope everyone has the courage to make beautiful creations in whatever they do.

“We have to keep pushing and turning those mistakes into masterpieces, and that’s what he did,” Ulmer said.

“I want them to feel a sense of empowerment. I want them to feel a sense of encouragement. I want them to feel a sense of honor, ”Ellis said. “As you can see, Mr. Boseman took his talent, took his gift and dreamed, and became truly iconic,” he added.

Ulmer is one of five artists whose work will be on display at the city’s commemorative event on Thursday.
There will be four works of art on stage as the speakers speak.

The event will take place at the Anderson Civic Center Amphitheater at 7 p.m. There is still no word on funeral plans at this time.