Wadsworth Jarrell (b. 1929, Albany, GA) is a painter, photographer and founding member of AfriCOBRA, a Chicago-based collective of black artists who developed their own visual aesthetic in the art world to empower black communities. Wadsworth’s pattern-intensive portraits, combining vibrant colors and Black Power slogans, depict his drive for political activism. He documented the musical life that flourished in Chicago in the late 1960s-1970s and was a member of the Organization of Black American Culture that painted the “Rhythm and Blues” section of The Wall of Respect mural in the South Side of Chicago. Currently, he continues to experiment in his practice with past and present topics surrounding Blackness.

'Revolutionary', created by Wadsworth Jarrell in 1972 and during the height of the AfriCOBRA period, celebrates Angela Y. Davis, a renowned intellectual and civil rights activist who continues to be a leader in the fight for racial, gender, and economic justice around the world. Incorporating Davis’s words, Black Power slogans, and AfriCOBRA’s signature vibrant colors, the portrait depicts the intensity and power of her activism. Although an edition of 300, this is a rare print as most versions were lost or damaged. Wadsworth renders Davis's face and hands with phrases and letters inscribed with meaning; B- for "Black is Beautiful," "Revolution," "Resist," "Seize the Time", "Bad," and "She Hipped us to Chuck...He Full of it." Her afro is further composed of words, letters and fragments of the letter B. He layers this language over an orange and yellow background. Davis is wearing a replica of Jae Jarrell's Revolutionary Suit; a tribute to his wife Jae Jarrell, an AfriCOBRA founder and innovative artist and fashion designer. Written on her suit are snippets of a speech Davis delivered in 1970 in California. In 'Revolutionary', Wadsworth is playing with language, size and scale in an attempt to emphasize and capture the aura and strength of Angela Y. Davis as an activist and revolutionary. An important example of AfriCOBRA, an aesthetic and collective rooted in the culture of Chicago's Black neighborhoods of the late 60's and 70's at the height of the civil rights, Black power, and Black arts movements, Revolutionary captures the rhythmic dynamism of Black culture and social life. The original painting is currently in the permanent Collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.