Woody De Othello, a self-described '90s kid from North Miami Beach now based in Oakland, California, is preparing for his largest museum exhibition to date at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), on view through June 28, 2026. The exhibition, titled 'Coming Forth by Day,' marks a homecoming for the artist, whose Funk Art–inflected ceramic and bronze sculptures of animated household objects—telephones, clocks, fans—have gained significant attention. Othello's work, which blends cartoonish aesthetics with personal narrative, has been featured in biennials at the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Orange County Museum of Art. He works out of two East Bay studios, one a former gym for painting and ceramics, the other a woodshop for frames and pedestals, and has been represented by San Francisco dealer Jessica Silverman since 2018.
This exhibition matters because it represents a major institutional milestone for a rising artist whose work bridges personal history, cultural identity, and contemporary sculpture. Othello's practice, rooted in his Haitian-American upbringing and his response to childhood bullying, transforms everyday objects into anthropomorphic totems that resonate emotionally and spiritually. The show's installation, designed with limewashed vermilion walls inspired by a trip to Senegal, creates an immersive environment that deepens the viewer's engagement. As PAMM curator Jennifer Inacio notes, Miami is central to Othello's story, and this exhibition highlights how regional and cultural roots can shape a globally relevant artistic voice.