Artist Biography: John Craig Flynn (1956–1994)
Born in Brooklyn, John Craig “I.C.” Flynn was a multidisciplinary artist whose work explored identity, spirituality, and community during a pivotal era for Black and queer life in America.
A prodigy, he began studying at the Brooklyn Museum at nine years old and later trained at the High School of Art and Design, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and the School of Visual Arts. His practice spanned painting, dance, music, and writing, reflecting a deeply interdisciplinary vision.
Flynn worked across fashion, illustration, modeling, acting, and graphic design. He performed with the Chuck Davis Dancers and participated in DanceAfrica, grounding his artistry in African diasporic traditions.
As a visual artist, he fused vibrant color with spiritual symbolism, often teaching at Brownsville’s Heritage House, where he led workshops on “The Art of Living and the Science of Color.”
His first professional exhibition took place in 1981 at Baruch College, where he showed alongside Romare Bearden and Abdur Rahman—an early recognition of his place within New York’s Black artistic community. He also wrote and produced the stage play I Believe It Can Be Done, performed in Brownsville, exploring themes of perseverance and collective uplift.
Flynn passed away in 1994 during the height of the AIDS crisis. His paintings, journals, and sketches remain powerful testaments to a generation of Black queer artists whose stories are only now beginning to be fully acknowledged.
Statement by Quadir Ali Moore, Estate Representative & Creative Heir
As John Craig Flynn’s great nephew, I’m honored to carry forward his legacy. Like him, I studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and his creative courage and spiritual depth continue to shape my own work as an artist and photographer.
My career across New York’s creative landscape—BFA.com, The Whitney, The MET, MoMA, and collaborations with NYU’s Center for Black Visual Culture—has grounded my commitment to ensuring his story is finally given the recognition it deserves.
Much of Flynn’s art remained unseen for decades, due in part to family hesitation and the stigma surrounding his queerness. My mission is to restore, document, and share his work with museums, curators, and archives dedicated to preserving the histories of underrepresented Black and queer artists.
His work is a vital part of our cultural memory, and it is time for it to be seen.
Archival & Measurement Notice
The Estate of John Craig Flynn is in the process of archiving his artworks, journals, and teaching materials. Not all measurements are available yet.
Most large-scale canvas works from the 1980s–1990s have been documented, and titles and dimensions for many pieces are already recorded. These details will be updated as the archive continues to be organized.
For institutions, collectors, or researchers seeking specifics on a particular work, please reach out — we can provide available measurements, images, and condition notes upon request.