Artist Statement: This piano is a living canvas, a vessel for connection, a testament to the ways we reach for one another. Covered in hand-drawn hands, it speaks to the curiosity that fuels our relationships—the instinct to touch, to hold, to build something greater together. Titled Love and Hope, this piece is about the persistence of love in all its forms—how it endures, how it shapes us, how it asks us to imagine beyond what is, toward what could be. Hands, in their motion and openness, are both invitation and action. They symbolize the ways we extend ourselves, not just toward others, but toward the unknown, toward possibility. A piano is meant to be played, to bring voices and emotions into harmony. In the same way, this artwork invites engagement. It is not just an object but a reminder: love is something we create together, and hope is something we keep alive with our hands, our hearts, and our collective imagination.
Brandan “BMike” Odums is a New Orleans-based artist, speaker, and activist who uses his art and his voice to reflect and amplify the beauty and strength of Black people. He is a public artist engaged in a deeply thoughtful dialog with the communities where he shows his work. He is an educator happy that he can help students who visit his Studio BE gallery better understand Black history. He is a collaborator who works with other artists, activists, athletes, and brands to inspire and strengthen the movement for racial justice and equity.
"Sing for Hope Pianos - it's what we need right now, what the world needs. And as a Sing for Hope board member, I love that we're celebrating in my hometown of New Orleans!"
$25 helps us transport a Sing for Hope Piano to a local community center, bringing music and joy to those who need it most.
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