Woman In Red
$1,500.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
At first glance you notice the physical strain held in the figure’s body — bent knees, tensed shoulders and a downward-turned head — and it immediately reads as an act of endurance. Gilbert Young pairs that monumental human effort with a layered emblem above the man: the American flag forms the topmost layer, followed by bands of black, red and green. Together they speak plainly and powerfully about identity, history and responsibility without needing words. The image feels both personal and civic. The careful, almost sculptural rendering of the crouched figure gives him weight and presence; the flat, symbolic slabs he supports feel monumental and immovable. The contrast between the finely modeled musculature and the simplified, weathered flag-like panels heightens the sense that this burden is at once bodily, cultural and political. There’s an intimacy in the way his fingers clutch the edge and a dignity in his steadiness — the composition doesn’t just show struggle, it honors persistence. As a wall piece it holds attention and prompts reflection: who carries what for whom, and with what resolve.
The Artwork
About THE BURDEN
I wanted to depict the burden we bear as Africans and Americans, and when I used to do arts festivals and shows I would ask people if the weight was pressing him down, of was he lifting it up.
Collector Details
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About the Collection
Gilbert Young is a renowned African American artist, muralist, and art conservator whose work profoundly captures the African American experience. His iconic painting, He Ain't Heavy, exemplifies his commitment to figurative realism and serves as a powerful piece of social commentary. Beyond his studio work, Young has made significant contributions as a community activist, creating impactful public murals that celebrate cultural heritage and address pertinent social issues. His art not only reflects the richness of African American culture but also inspires dialogue and understanding within the broader community.
Artist Signature
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This piece is signed by the artist and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Gilbert Young.
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Gilbert Young's support of various community activities and events in his native town of Cincinnati, Ohio spans over two decades. He was active there in both the artistic and scholastic arenas. Young served as Director and Conservator of the Fine Arts Collection for the University of Cincinnati for twenty-six years. He also served as Artist-in Residence for the University in 1994-1995.
Dating back to 1975, this multi-talented, multi-faceted, internationally known artist has lent the use of his images and time to many community projects and organizations. Young served as a consultant to the Harriet Beecher Stowe House Project, a renovation and restoration project for the Harriet Beecher Stowe house, creating a cultural arts center for the visual and performing arts in Cincinnati. In 1991, when the Cincinnati branch of the National Council of Negro Women hosted its first "Black Family Reunion", Gilbert was asked to provide the image that would become the official poster of the event. He also lent the use of his image, "Inside Daddy's World" , to The Black Male Coalition of Greater Cincinnati, Inc. in 1995 as the cover of their brochure and one of his most profound works, a commissioned portrait of civil rights leader Dr. martin Luther King hangs in the lobby of University Hospital.
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