“Astro” by Nathan

56 x 59 inches, oil painting on canvas, original (2024) — unframed

Nathan James Addley is an Atlanta-based artist whose large-scale portrait paintings explore the richness and complexity of the Black American experience. Raised in the Philadelphia area after being born in Maryland, Addley began his artistic journey earlystudying art in high school while also taking classes at local institutions in Philadelphia. He later earned his BFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design (Atlanta Campus), where he continues to expand his practice.

Addleys work centers Black identity, environment, and culture through vivid, human-centered narratives. Using scale, color, and contemporary fashion, his portraits evoke both personal history and collective memory. His paintings are held in public and private collections including Arcadia University, Blessings Gallery in Philadelphia, and SCADs campuses in Atlanta, Savannah, and Lacoste, France.

He has exhibited nationally at venues such as Zucot Gallery (Atlanta), Kente Royal Gallery (New York), and the Dallas African American Museum. Addley has also completed commissions for SCAD and the family of recording artist Lil Yachty.