Installation Features Works by Dominique “YOUNIQUE” Coleman
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 4, 2025) ––The Frist Art Museum presents Project Uplift 2025: Sole Study, an installation of works by Nashville artist Dominique “YOUNIQUE” Coleman that explores the cultural and creative connections between sneakers, hip-hop, and individuality. Sole Study is the third iteration of Project Uplift and will be on view at the Frist beginning April 10, 2025.
Under the direction of Student Curator Gopal Pokharel (Sumiran) from Fisk University and Student Designer Myles Jones, a senior at Tennessee State University, Sole Study was created through Project Uplift, a program designed in partnership with Fisk and TSU to offer a student or recent graduate an opportunity to curate, design, market, and develop a program for an installation.
Installed in the Frist’s Grand Lobby Elevator, Sole Study offers an immersive experience within a common, accessible space. The elevator’s interior layout of vinyl prints was designed by Jones and features nine of Coleman’s digital artworks of iconic Nike sneakers, musical and sports references, and his thumbprint sole design. “YOUNIQUE talks about his practice as ‘rapping through art’ and Sole Study as a visual album—each work functions like a track contributing to the larger narrative of the series,” says Pokharel. “Together, the works represent the artist’s journey, playing on the words sole and soul to establish themes of self-expression and cultural pride; this dual meaning invites viewers to consider both the tangible imprint of their steps—their soles—and the intangible essence of their being—their soul.”
Project Uplift was conceived to distill the curatorial process into a short period of time so students can gain exposure to all aspects of exhibition planning. While typical museum exhibitions may take years of planning, Project Uplift is condensed into three months. “I feel the project allows artists to transform an untraditional space into a world or portal,” says Coleman. “A ten-second elevator ride could lead to life-changing inspiration. The goal is to build upon and expand what other artists have done in the past within Project Uplift, in hopes of inspiring and encouraging the future artists to continue to push further.”
“From the 2-D sketches to the final installation, this project offered an opportunity to take what I’ve learned in classes and put it into practice,” says Jones. “The design team at the Frist and YOUNIQUE offered helpful insight all along the way.”
In 2024, Frist staff reimagined the program to strengthen connections with local HBCUs through partnerships with Fisk University and Tennessee State University. This approach allows the integration of the project within both institutions’ curricula, providing more students with opportunities to gain an understanding of museum careers and participate in the curatorial and design processes.
Fisk students led by Art Department Chair Lakesha Calvin worked with Frist Associate Curator Michael J. Ewing to identify potential artists and curatorial themes for this year’s project. Students in the TSU Design Department worked with Professor Eric Jackson and Frist Graphic Designer Madelyn Arserio to develop concepts for an installation. Students then created design treatments based on their installation concepts, including a typeface selection, visual approach, and layout. They then received constructive feedback, and finalists were selected to present their ideas to Frist staff, including members from the Curatorial, Education, and Design departments.
Pokharel notes, “As a student focused on tech, I initially felt like I had no artistic skills. That changed when I took an art class with Professor Lakesha Calvin. That experience shifted my perspective and made me realize that curation, much like project management in tech, is about vision, storytelling, and bringing different elements together to create something meaningful.”
Sole Study provided an opportunity for the participants to work together in new and collaborative ways. “Working on this project as a group was very different for me,” says Coleman. “I typically wear many hats, so this took me back to my hoopin’ days a bit, having a team. Everything didn’t have to be all on my shoulders.” Pokharel noted, “With our shared passion for sneaker culture and our mutual admiration for Kobe Bryant, the connections made working on this project feel more like a natural friendship rather than just a professional collaboration.”
Participant Bios
Dominique “YOUNIQUE” Coleman was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and is best known for his digital illustrations and paintings. Guided by his curiosity, he currently uses sneakers in his work as a vehicle to explore personal experiences and gain insight. He works as a visual artist and designer in Middle Tennessee, and his creative practice includes illustration, digital illustration, photo compositing, graphic design, and more.
Myles Jones grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and is a senior at Tennessee State University, where he is majoring in graphic design. He has a passion for artistic expression and sees it as therapeutic relief from a noisy world and a guiding tool for navigating life’s obstacles.
Gopal Pokharel (Sumiran) is a senior computer science and mathematics student at Fisk University from Jhapa, Nepal. He is passionate about using technology to create solutions that have a lasting real-world impact. Although he comes from a tech background, he enjoys exploring different fields and believes that “you can learn from anyone and anywhere,” as his mother always says.
Program
Opening Conversations: Sole Study
Thursday, April 10, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Auditorium
Gallery admission required
Join artist Dominique “YOUNIQUE” Coleman, Student Curator Gopal Pokharel, and Student Designer Myles Jones for a conversation moderated by Susan H. Edwards Curatorial Fellow Mouminatou Thiaw about the creative process behind the installation Sole Study. Coleman will share the story of his personal artistic journey and the inspirations that shape his work, while each student will discuss their individual creative pathways to the project. The session will begin and culminate with “Interlude,” an interactive drawing session co-facilitated by the Tennessee State University Arts and Social practice class, offering an engaging way to explore the themes of the exhibition.
Exhibition Credit
Organized by the Frist Art Museum with Student Curator Gopal Pokharel
Supporter Acknowledgment
Lead Sponsor: Amazon
The Frist Art Museum is supported in part by The Frist Foundation, the Tennessee Arts Commission, andthe National Endowment for the Arts.
Image Credits
1. YOUNIQUE. Winter ‘03 Summer ‘04 Sole Study, 2022. Mixed media; 15 x 15 in. Courtesy of the artist. © YOUNIQUE
2. YOUNIQUE. Summer ’04 Nique Reaction Sole Study, 2022. Mixed media; 15 x 15 in. Courtesy of the artist. © YOUNIQUE
3. YOUNIQUE. Speakerboxxx / The Love Below Sole Study, 2022. Mixed media; 15 x 15 in. Courtesy of the artist. © YOUNIQUE
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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Buddy Kite: 615.744.3351, bkite@FristArtMuseum.org
Ellen Jones Pryor: 615.243.1311, epryor@FristArtMuseum.org
