THEADIS REAGINS
Heavily Devoted
ceramic stoneware, acrylic paint, fabric
26” x 14” x 4”
2025
DESCRIPTION
Heavily Devoted is a sculptural symbol of piety, aspiration, and sacred
Blackness. Derived from the history of Saint sculptures in the late Middle
Ages, this piece questions what makes something divine. Deliberate
layering of reds, yellows, and blues on the face creates a deep shade of black.
Black, the color of absence, exists as an emblem of power, exhibiting the
multifaceted layers of Black culture. The Gatorade towel draped over the
head comments on the connection between contemporary brands, and the
attire worn by saints to represent their religious significance. The gestures
and imagery displayed by sports players, such as tossing a towel over the
head, functions as a post-game ritual. A symbol of devotion after breaking
from high activity, or a performance for an audience.
Heavily Devoted
ceramic stoneware, acrylic paint, fabric
26” x 14” x 4”
2025
DESCRIPTION
Heavily Devoted is a sculptural symbol of piety, aspiration, and sacred
Blackness. Derived from the history of Saint sculptures in the late Middle
Ages, this piece questions what makes something divine. Deliberate
layering of reds, yellows, and blues on the face creates a deep shade of black.
Black, the color of absence, exists as an emblem of power, exhibiting the
multifaceted layers of Black culture. The Gatorade towel draped over the
head comments on the connection between contemporary brands, and the
attire worn by saints to represent their religious significance. The gestures
and imagery displayed by sports players, such as tossing a towel over the
head, functions as a post-game ritual. A symbol of devotion after breaking
from high activity, or a performance for an audience.
INSTA @Blvckthesis
WEBSITE
EMAIL Treagins@cia.edu
BIO
Theadis Reagins was born in 2004 in Cleveland, Ohio.The subject matter of his paintings and prints is drawn from his contemporary observations with imbued ancient representations to explore sacred blackness and cultural manifestations. Reagins is currently a student at the Cleveland Institute of Art, where he is expected to receive a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 2026. Reagins is greatly influenced by art history’s black archive, most notably The Image of The Black in Western Art by Henry Louis Gates Jr. In 2022 he was the recipient of the Eterovich Award, given for his contribution to the Slow hand exhibition at Yards Projects in Cleveland, Ohio. He was also awarded the Charles Salle award in 2023. Theadis Reagins hosted his first solo show More Gifts at Deep Dive Arts Projects in 2023. He has also been included in group exhibitions at The Morgan Conservatory, Zygote Press, Kent State University, Ashtabula Art Center, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In 2024, after participating in several group shows in Cleveland, Reagins received a scholarship and invitation to show at Prizm Art Fair during Miami Art Week in Florida.
SECONDARY PIECE
Theadis Reagins
Restful Intellectual
Oil on canvas
36” x 36”