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Inspired by the Sound of Philadelphia

The Sound of Philadelphia

Artists Inspired By Music

“Inspired by The Sound of Philadelphia” is a virtual art gallery featuring unique, original artwork from Philadelphia-based artists who took inspiration from 50 years of musical moments, artists, and songs associated with Philadelphia International Records. The gallery showcases not only the artists and their artwork, but a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process and how they were inspired by The Sound of Philadelphia.

The Artwork

The Founders of Philly Soul by O'Neil ScottMore Info

The Founders of Philly Soul By O'Neil Scott

"The Founders of Philly Soul" is a 30x30 inch oil painting on canvas ...

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The Founders of Philly Soul

The Founders of Philly Soul by O'Neil Scott

“The Founders of Philly Soul” is a 30×30 inch oil painting on canvas depicting PIR founders Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff as young men. In the painting they are encompassed by the city of Philadelphia skyline to depict how their contribution helped mold the soul of the city. In the end soul music is the essence of what Philadelphia is known for and Gamble and Huff are the backbone behind it all.

O'Neil Scott

O'Neil Scott

O’Neil Scott is a representational oil painter who grew up in Camden, NJ and currently based in Pennsylvania. Captivated by portraiture and its capacity to impart complexities that comprise the human condition his work is designed to give a voice to marginalized communities. His paintings convey contemporary subject matter and look to give the viewer a way to understand and relate across social boundaries. He had his third solo show in 2021 and has been in numerous publications including Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, American Art Collector Magazine and Artist Magazine. His work is in private collections across the United States and Internationally.

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Groove City by Allegra Yvonne GiaMore Info

Groove City By Allegra Yvonne Gia

A black woman with an afro that embodies musical instruments and a record.

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Groove City

Groove City by Allegra Yvonne Gia

A black woman with an afro that embodies musical instruments and a record. The fro also includes a mini cityscape of Philadelphia peaking above it.

Allegra Yvonne Gia

Allegra Yvonne Gia

Allegra Yvonne Gia is a visual artist whose practice includes film, painting, illustration, and animation. Her style of work is influenced by pop culture, afro-futurism, and surrealism.

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Heart & Soul by Sean 'SK' KinseyMore Info

Heart & Soul By Sean 'SK' Kinsey

I used vibrant colors of acrylic paints and oil pastels to make each section of the painting stand out more than the other ...

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Heart & Soul

Heart & Soul by Sean 'SK' Kinsey

Medium: Acrylic, Spray Paint, & Oil Pastels on Canvas
Dimensions: 36” x 36”

I used vibrant colors of acrylic paints and oil pastels to make each section of the painting stand out more than the other but made sure they will equally catch the attention from the viewer’s eye. The purpose of this painting was to give an idea of how Philly looks with its high rise buildings and historic ‘LOVE’ statue in center city Philly, and give an example of where soul music comes from by displaying PIR’s logo, as well as some of the famous musicians coming from Philadelphia and the record label overall. Being born and raised in Philadelphia, you could take a visit downtown and see musicians playing their pianos, saxophones or even singing on our local corners as pedestrians enjoy their talents, which is why I also created a saxophone player playing his saxophone with music notes flowing through the area.

Sean 'SK' Kinsey

Sean 'SK' Kinsey

Sean Kinsey is a self taught visual artist from North & the ‘Uptown’ Philadelphia region who uses abstract and mixed media mediums to express himself through art. Using his unique style of abstract expressionism, Sean uses bright and vibrant colors for his works of art that usually focuses on concepts of love, family, political issues, and written down phrases that are meant to inspire or motivate the person viewing his art, with sayings such as “stay focused”, “keep your head up”, “love all”, & “peace”.

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The Sound of my Dream by Kritics LieMore Info

The Sound of my Dream By Kritics Lie

Everyday interactions are the main focus within my vision when creating.

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The Sound of my Dream

Everyday interactions are the main focus within my vision when creating. I grew up in the inner city of Philadelphia where pride is carried well throughout the culture we’ve created for ourselves. Pride in Philadelphia is the difference between good parenting and one’s who fall victim to their past. Pride is the difference between the education we settle for versus the education we deserve. Pride is the difference between whether we choose to reach out and support someone in need or to be selfish. Pride is the difference between whether one makes it home versus never getting to see the light of day again. The pride we carry in Philadelphia of course stems from our dignity for who we are and where we come from but where we come from our pride has grown to result in us becoming desensitized to the issues we choose to ignore. “The Sound of My Dreams” is a visual representation of dreams and thoughts I’ve had since I was a kid still to this day. As we live our life with little notice or empathy for our people we create no true foundation for our youth to learn from.

Kritics Lie

Kritics Lie

Kritics Lie is a young Philadelphia-based artist whose mission is to shed light on the beauty we all hold within by using painting/drawing both by hand and digitally to create works of art to uplift those subjected to it. They use their city and own experiences throughout life as a starting point to their creativity. Kritics Lie began making art a part of their lifestyle entering high school and from there have been creating ever since. They attended the Pennsylvania Academy of The Fine Arts for a four-year Bachelors program studying all of the foundation art mediums. They are knowledgeable in painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpting. While studying at PAFA they had the experience to learn from and be critiqued by professional artists and well experienced professors that shared their knowledge of artistry and helped mold them into the artist they are today.

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Read Between the Rhymes by Fiction FrankMore Info

Read Between the Rhymes By Fiction Frank

This piece is about how Philadelphia has always found creative ways to connect communities ...

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Read Between the Rhymes

Read Between the Rhymes by Fiction Frank

This piece is about how Philadelphia has always found creative ways to connect communities of different cultures through sound. From the subtle similarities like spokes on a bike poppin’ a wheelie in North Philly to the strings on a cello being played on a corner in Center City. Whatever tools we’re given we all want to create an experience….with each other.

Fiction Frank

Fiction Frank

Digital Artist, Motion Graphics Designer & Streamer whose focus is “storytelling through design” with experience in merchandising + music marketing since 2014. Born & raised in Camden New Jersey, Frank’s been working out of Philadelphia with clients like Comcast to REC Philly. His next chapter is to livestream creative projects & collaborations with visuals that’ll keep your attention…and hopefully his.

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Sound of the City by FlygirrlMore Info

Sound of the City By Flygirrl

My piece centers around Gamble & Huff. I used an iconic image of them sitting in the studio at the production board that I have always loved.

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Sound of the City

Sound of the City by Flygirrl

My piece centers around Gamble & Huff. I used an iconic image of them sitting in the studio at the production board that I have always loved. They are sitting in front of a backdrop of City Hall and the city on a beautiful day and on Broad St and next to the stars on the street, as PIR once was. Throughout the piece, you’ll find illustrations that are actually song references. The songs references you can find are: I Love Music, The Message is in The Music, Ebony Woman, For the Love of Money, I’ll Always Love My Mama, Love Train, Picnic in the Park, and Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Framing the pieces at the bottom are roses that say, “Give Them Their Flowers Now.” Let’s celebrate our loved ones and icons while they are here. And what Gamble & Huff have given us, is immeasurable. It was an honor to celebrate that through my piece.

Flygirrl

Flygirrl

Stacey Wilson, also known as Flygirrl, has been a leader in the Arts, Entertainment and Nightlife worlds for more than 25 years. Stacey is a televised and published Visual Artist, sought after Graphic + Web Designer, a Teacher and a legendary Event and Party Curator in Philadelphia. In the span of almost 3 decades, some of Stacey’s accolades include creating the longest running weekly party alongside Questlove of The Roots, called Tastytreats, was named a Creative Ambassador of Philadelphia, had 6 pieces of Art of The Real World Philly and published in Jill Scott’s book of poetry, The Moments, The Minutes, The Hours. She’s thrown thousands of events with folks like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Q-Tip, Biz Markie, Bilal, and Spinderella, to name a few. She even planned 3 private concert afterparties (and got to hang out!) for Prince. Some of her Graphic/Web clients include Digable Planets, Ursula Rucker, The Roots, Dyana Williams, Vikter Duplaix and more. In recent years, Stacey has begun to pay it forward by teaching students how to do Graphic, Web and Event Design. Stacey also morphed into a muralist, creating giant works of Art for Tiny Room For Elephants, one of which hangs right in The Fillmore Philadelphia. She just loves to create things. So much more to come. Stay tuned by following @Flygirrl and visiting www.flygirrl.com to sign up for her email list, see more work, event photos, live recordings and more.

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Soul Matters by irregularseanMore Info

Soul Matters By irregularsean

Soul Matters encompasses the opening notes of The Sound of Philadelphia, written in hand cut mirror on canvas.

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Soul Matters

Soul Matters by irregularsean

Soul Matters encompasses the opening notes of The Sound of Philadelphia, written in hand cut mirror on canvas. Showing a true reflection of the viewer that transcends the experience. Soul Matters reflects the source of the sound that we have all grown to love, showing a cycle of just how intertwined music will always be with us.

irregularsean

irregularsean

Nothing regular about Sean. Showcasing artwork at Rittenhouse Square since 2014, the journey has remained a continuous evolution. Specializing in hand cut mirror, the potential is infinite.

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PIR Visual Timeline by Michele ScottMore Info

PIR Visual Timeline By Michele Scott

My illustration is a visual timeline of PIR from its beginning in Philly to now.

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PIR Visual Timeline

PIR Visual Timeline by Michele Scott

My illustration is a visual timeline of PIR from its beginning in Philly to now. The illustration doesn’t follow a super strict linear pattern but is more of a flowing conceptual timeline, meant to display the music and society through then to now.

Michele Scott

Michele Scott

Michele Scott is a Philadelphia-based illustrator and animator. Philly and the “Philly Area” has been their home since moving to the states 22 years ago. They love Philly, music and art so this project was an honor to be a part of!

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Better Together by Jasmine TotMore Info

Better Together By Jasmine Tot

In my piece “Better Together” I wanted to celebrate the legacy of Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble.

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Better Together

Better Together by Jasmine Tot

In my piece “Better Together” I wanted to celebrate the legacy of Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble. The title reflects the partnership and record company Huff and Gamble created together. Huff and Gamble are legendary and monumental to the music industry. The Ankara fabric ties to their influence to the Black community and culture. Together they created a “universal sound.”

Jasmine Tot

Jasmine Tot

Jas Tot is a visual Artist and roller skater based out of Philadelphia, PA. In their works, they intentionally amplify Black stories and celebrate our culture. Representing the Black community in a positive light within their work is very important.

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shanina dionna - Lavender MedleyMore Info

Lavender Medley By Shanina Dionna

"Lavender Medley" is a love letter to all artists who courageously show up for themselves and for their communities.

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Lavender Medley

shanina dionna - Lavender Medley

Inspired by the legacy and influence of music pioneers, Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, and the healing power of creative expression, “Lavender Medley” is a love letter to all artists who courageously show up for themselves and for their communities. Integrating movement, sound and botanical wellness into my creative process, this painting holds sacred energy that helped guide the work. The palette and aesthetic is inspired by the classic, bold colors of the 1960’s – 1970’s as seen in the artists’ clothing, set designs and television programming of that era. The lavender plant is believed to have healing benefits including helping to improve sleep, reducing stress and anxiety, and reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Like lavender, I believe the “sound of Philadelphia” has helped offer the same to our global community for over 50 years.

“Lavender Medley” honors the transcendent experiences cultivated by the artists of and associated with Philadelphia International Records. Their positive impact, messages through song and dance, and ability to help shift both personal and communal narratives to that of higher frequencies fortifies their longevity and continued success.

Shanina Dionna

Shanina Dionna

shanina dionna is a visual and performing artist, mental health advocate and non-profit youth arts educator based in Greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Since 2011, her Embryo art exhibition series has helped raise awareness for mental health; chronicling the life of one millennial’s growth journey. The series is supported in-part by local businesses and the wellness community. Her art for social change practice is rooted in the exposure of her own personal battle and history with mental illnesses, diagnoses, hospitalization and therapy treatments. Life-sized acrylic portraits, improv performances, dance/movement, film, photography, botanical therapy and safe space installations all help convey her intent for communal wellness and healing.

In 2016, shanina dionna helped found the youth art program, @artbudsphilly (on Instagram), currently housed at the Urban Art Gallery in West Philadelphia. In 2018, she became one of twenty artists worldwide to receive the first-ever TDC20 Grant (The Dean Collection 20) presented by Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. In a 2020 interview, Philadelphia Magazine recognized her as the “Philly artist creating a positive space for mental health conversations.” shanina dionna is a certified PCEAT facilitator (Person Centered Expressive Arts Therapy) and in May 2021 she launched her Expressive Arts Healing independent practice for teenagers and adults.

“Art helped save my life. I simply desire to pay that forward.”

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Music Inspiration

The Philadelphia Sound: Essential Philly Soul playlist

THE PHILADELPHIA SOUND: ESSENTIAL PHILLY SOUL

Various Artists

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