WHO’S THE MASTER? reimagines Sho’nuff the unforgettable antagonist of the 1985 cult classic The Last Dragon in an unexpected role: confronting a figure representing white supremacy.
Known for demanding the answer to one question “Who’s the Master?” Sho’nuff’s familiar challenge takes on a different meaning here. The language of a martial-arts film collides with the historical language of power, race and “mastery.”
Suspended above the ground, the white-robed figure wears a pair of black Converse as Sho’nuff holds him by the throat. His strained response—“KKKISS MY CONVERSE!”—uses satire and wordplay to connect the KKK reference, the iconic footwear and the struggle taking place within the image.
Behind the figures, an iridescent silver form carries multiple meanings. Its shape evokes the pointed hood, the silhouette of a tree and a visual reference to the imagery that originally sparked the work. As light moves across the canvas, the form shifts in appearance, allowing those references to emerge and disappear depending on the viewer’s position.
The suspended body introduces another reversal. Against the history of racial terror and lynching inflicted upon Black Americans, the Black figure remains firmly planted while the symbol of white supremacy hangs above the ground.
In this work, the villain becomes the unlikely figure confronting something more sinister than himself.
WHO’S THE MASTER?
2026
Original artwork by Akio Evans
24 × 36 inches
Acrylic and mixed media on canvas
One-of-one original
Signed by the artist
WHO’S THE MASTER? reimagines Sho’nuff the unforgettable antagonist of the 1985 cult classic The Last Dragon in an unexpected role: confronting a figure representing white supremacy.
Known for demanding the answer to one question “Who’s the Master?” Sho’nuff’s familiar challenge takes on a different meaning here. The language of a martial-arts film collides with the historical language of power, race and “mastery.”
Suspended above the ground, the white-robed figure wears a pair of black Converse as Sho’nuff holds him by the throat. His strained response—“KKKISS MY CONVERSE!”—uses satire and wordplay to connect the KKK reference, the iconic footwear and the struggle taking place within the image.
Behind the figures, an iridescent silver form carries multiple meanings. Its shape evokes the pointed hood, the silhouette of a tree and a visual reference to the imagery that originally sparked the work. As light moves across the canvas, the form shifts in appearance, allowing those references to emerge and disappear depending on the viewer’s position.
The suspended body introduces another reversal. Against the history of racial terror and lynching inflicted upon Black Americans, the Black figure remains firmly planted while the symbol of white supremacy hangs above the ground.
In this work, the villain becomes the unlikely figure confronting something more sinister than himself.
WHO’S THE MASTER?
2026
Original artwork by Akio Evans
24 × 36 inches
Acrylic and mixed media on canvas
One-of-one original
Signed by the artist
