Napoleon Wright II: Love Is

photo by Cornell Watson

This February, Raleigh-based multimedia artist Napoleon Wright II is broadcasting a display of radical love across downtown Raleigh.

Love Is on nightly display at The Gramercy

Why is love the message?

It’s important to talk about love so that in sharing our experiences, we can break this one dimensional idea of what love is. We should constantly be redefining love. In doing that, we are creating more avenues for love to exist, which helps everything. 

What draws you to illustrating people?

Drawing people is something I’ve always done since I was a kid. I don’t know where the people come from and I think that’s part of why I like to draw them. They reveal themselves on the page and almost tell me their story in a way. I just go where they seem to take me. 

What‘s on your mind this Black History Month?

I’d like to highlight that the Black Lives Matter movement has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for uniting the world around systematic change. That’s love.

What does love mean, to you?

To me, love is an infinite energy that can’t ever be destroyed. It manifests itself in all aspects of life. I believe we exist to experience this. I feel it is the key to a higher dimension of understanding about our connection to one another and life itself. Love is the most powerful thing known to humankind.