iBOMS at D-Gallerie Solo Exhibition- Xebra

iBOMS unveils his latest exhibit and character “Xebra” this month at D-Gallerie.

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A lot of the themes discussed in these pieces are the struggle with duality. “The Xebra character is based on existence as an emerging artist in a world and city in the midst of a reboot”. The character often asks itself “Am I black with white stripes, or white with black stripes”. This piece “Xebra” is the centerpiece of the entire collection. We see the Xebra character on full display bones and all, exposing himself to the world.

Guardian Angel

Despite Xebra doing bad sometimes, hinted at in the “Your Cane, when not Able” line, the guardian Angel is always watching over Xebra, and ready to protect.

Two Birds One Stone

I dig the less polished approach on this piece. We are so used to this grandiose pieces from Jabari that it’s nice to see some pencil work now and then. I gotta pocket full of stones!!!

Global Blooming

The first of the two murals featured in the show. “Global Blooming” shows the Xebra character pulling out his heart, squeezing it to create a fire. Xebra’s head is portrayed like the earths core, with molten lava ready to spurt out.

I Grieve Different

A nod to the K.Dot song, this piece being done with chalk on a chalk board gives it that child like wonderment Jabari usually fills with his pieces.

Performance Of A Demi Man

In this piece the character appears to be surrounded by darkness. Once he does his performance blooms shoot out surrounding, the character with their light, with arms wide open.

MyGreat

I really dig the nod to the “Coat Of Thieves” masterwork piece Jabari dropped at his last show. The dancers and the fire give off mad Leo vibes to me.

Raingasm

This piece really hit for me. The Pexiglass added a lot to the rain drip effect. A viewer behind me didn’t really understand what was going on in the piece but it was nice to hear her friend explain it to her. It’s dope to see that the Xebra characters can be male or female, expanding the world of iBOMS.

To Release A Butterfly

This whole wall had nothing but statement pieces on it. The vast amount of colors was unreal. This purple piece harkens back to that child like nature I described before. The purple figure comes off spirit like. Similar to the Xebra characters she is also missing a heart. Once you take someone’s heart it might be time to release them back, just like a captured butterfly.

Gods Tears Are Made Of Honey

Not all tears are bad especially when they come from God. The twin zebras in the center are a nice touch. If you look closely you can see iBOMS trademark bee in different plots throughout the peace.

Poachers

Seeing this piece online doesn’t do it justice. From the Dracos to the sparkling golds there are hella iBOMS trademarks in this piece. I like the color combo of the blue hair and the orange boxers behind.

Bright Shadows

It’s crazy how much darkness is on this canvas. The flaming character is the only source of light on the entire piece. Evil stands no match to the shamen.

Kodak Spoke Of Tunnel Vision

This one in person is next level man. The exit signs make their return, as the character is making its departure. It’s almost like the figure has just came out of a glacier with a new person and view on the world. Now he’s gotta keep it tunnel vision.

Nola

The coat of thieves makes it’s return once again, this time covering most of the canvas. Hella blooms and exit signs fill up the circle, which is a dope canvas rather than the usual rectangular or square.

Awareness Of Infinity

This is one of my favorite pieces that dives deeper into the Xebra characters. A rush of blooms connect both figures hearts which have been taken, thus forming a new heart. Despite the dark and almost blood like red that fills up the piece, there is a lot of hope when I see this.

Blood Moon

Look to the Blood Moon to solve your questions. I dig the elder character iBOMS focuses on in this piece, his expansion of the universe is always a vibe. It’s possible the blood moon can tell us who we really are.

Dance Of The Blood Moon

When one goes searching for answers they must summon the Blood Moon by doing a certain dance. It can only be done under the depths of the ocean. Not sure but this might be the first time Jabari added fish to a piece.

Orator

The Coat Of Thieves is my favorite every-time it’s makes an appearance. It’s dope that Jabari is expanding the lore of why the coat exists. Justice will be served.

Firewall

The second mural on display might be my favorite. It’s dope how Xebra is sitting on the bloom, containing the fire that is in front of him. The fire tells all so we look closer but be careful not to get burned.

Harmonic Convergence

This one should be a favorite to any of the day one supporters. Most if not all of Jabari’s characters all pull up in this multiverse esque “Where’s Ashi” style piece. The rough draft feel makes it standout from his more grandiose pieces, allowing each character to get their shine.

The turn out for this show was crazy. Jabari always ups his game with each show no matter how big the stakes are. Who else is using app tech with their pieces right now in the area. Like I said do yourself a favor and see these pieces in person, IG doesn’t do them right.

Bloom Woods

Over the past year iBOMS has become one of the most prolific faces of the St.Pete Art scene, on the closing day of his latest collection at D Gallerie I had to come through and document the greatness.

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Jabari had been locked in the studio working on some of the pieces for this show. This latest collection taps into a lot of IBOMIAN trademarks like prescriptions, Exit Signs, blooms, birds, and don’t forget the bees.

Master Of My Seas

As of right now I am pretty confident this is my favorite piece Jabari has done. The arms surrounding Ashi are reminiscent of a shield power up in a video game. An artists needs protection from energy zappers. I would love to see a statue or mold of this piece one day.

To Love A Poltergeist

What’s it like to love a ghost? This piece is something else man. From the custom “Bloom Woods” box to the “R.I.P. Ashi” newspaper clippings. Once I understood the full meaning of the piece it became very relatable to me, bringing my connection with it to another level.

For Those Raised Like The Red Nose

Despite the darkness that surrounds Ashi, he is able to strive through it and make it through to the other side. I really dug the triangular aspect of this piece. Not sure if Jabari came up with this piece first before creating the masks but I am pretty sure we will see the masks pop up again in future works.

See You In The Rebirth

The innocence of a child. It’s always a vibe when iBOMS incorporates the sun into his pieces, bringing the gap between his realm and the normal realm. This time the exit sign makes an appearance in a graffiti style rather than just a sign.

Divine Prescription

This piece really brings all of Jabari’s work full circle. If you have a god given skill work at it and watch it grow, don’t let it drown and die amongst the algae. This time the exit signs and the rubber ducks fuse into floating observes above a prescription bottle formed figure. Within the darkness beauty can be found.

IBOMIAN Trinity

Whole Lotta Orange. I dig how this piece has a pop up book vibe with the cop car and figures off to the side. This piece is filled with IBOMIAN trademarks such as the blooms, HDA, clouds, and the exit sign. If Ashi is around there are bound to be some bees buzzing around the piece. I also peeped the hieroglyphic font turning the o in iBOMS to an x making it iBXMS, on some trill shit.

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Congratulations to Jabari on this game changing collection. A majority of these pieces are some of my favorites in this phase of your career and the best part about it is this is only the beginning. Your work and the city are one, keep capturing life in St.Pete.