Ode To Thelonious Monk
(tag 014)
2022

Assemblage (28 1/2" x 22" x 2")

Artist description:

Thelonious Monk (1917 – 1982) was a prominent Black-American pianist and composer who played a crucial role in the development of modern jazz. His compositions are characterized by intricate and dissonant harmonies, as well as unconventional intervals and rhythms.

This artwork pays homage Thelonious Monk’s groundbreaking contributions to jazz and his distinctive compositional style. The abstract fragment of a foundry mold reflects Monks’s innovative spirit and his defiance of traditional boundaries. The metal strap is a metaphor for the connections forged when artists share their work, while the white background symbolizes the blank canvas that innovative creators like Monk etch their lasting impressions upon. D’Elia often has jazz playing in his studio for inspiration.

Publication History:
2023 LGBT Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural GuideDepartment of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles. (Page 46)