Malik Withaker is a young and talented Newark resident.In the inner city art has a different meaning, maybe art is concept only seen in a book or in a local museum. Art is to be shared, art is to be talked about and learned in a nontraditional way.
Malik Whitaker is an artist, born and raised in Newark giving him a connection to the community where his art can be viewed. The city Newark, Essex County College and East Orange High School share his work.
Whitaker’s art reflects the history of AfricanAmericans, telling a story through his art. The Jazz mural, the hands chained in East Orange H.S. with a great message to boost self respect
and the beautiful mural at Lincoln Park, “The Emancipation Mural” a celebration to freedom and achievement. Not only does Malik tell the history of AfricanAmericans, but through his painting, “Invoke Africa,” he reflects the root, the beginning and the remembrance of heritage forgotten. “Invoke Africa,” is painted with watercolors and paper, which is no easy task in achieving such a smooth work without looking like a first grader painted the picture.
Whitaker’s newest project “Brick City”, celebrates the diversity in a city consider to be the most dangerous in the country. This young man is creating from the rubble, art and a storyline that envision the history of Newark rich diversity and culture.