About Tate 

His earliest memory of drawing happened around age five, when a kindergarten teacher noticed his ability. Obviously, it was in his DNA to visualize images and concepts graphically. If asked what motivates him to be an artist, he’d say its to capture movement using visual stimuli with the intention to draw the viewer in close to engage their thoughts and imagination or to make the viewer step back to evade jarring perspectives.  

Yaqub Takhumah James Tate is a Rastafarian, philosophical thinker, and well-steeped in African and African American culture. His paintings often have hidden African and KMT symbols and symbolism. He skillfully juxtaposes faces and causes the audience to search for broader perspectives beyond what is at first obvious. Using acrylic paint as his media, the longer you look the more you see. His paintings are distinctive, collectable, one-of-a-kind originals.

Baltimore-born and raised, Tate was encouraged by one of his mentors, the late Ernest Kromah. He applied to MICA, Maryland Institute College of Arts in pursuit of a degree in Visual Communication, but quickly switched to his passion in Fine Arts. He also attended the Professional Institute of Commercial Art. His other passion is body building and coaching athletes.

"Just so you know, I try not to do anything without reason, therefore...... Yaqub is Hebrew for Jacob is James in English. I know you see me now as I am Ukhutamawe which means "Stonewall" which is the name of my grandfather PON mi mudahs side. I introduce myself today as "Ukhutamawe" and my art is in tribute to my  ancestry in symbol and image. This may not mean much to some.... but to me I owe my ancestors homage and try to honor them in my ancestry I FULA/IGBO, thus my art carries their symbolism, so people know where I  come from."