Arun Drummond: Preserving Culture Through Art

When you step into the world of Arun Drummond’s artwork, you’re entering a space that’s as much about storytelling and cultural preservation as it is about color, line, and technique. Arun, a Charleston-based multidisciplinary artist, has dedicated his career to painting stories that connect generations, celebrate heritage, and speak to the urgency of preserving culture.

From Gallery Manager to Artist

Arun’s path into art didn’t begin in a classroom, it began in a gallery. For 16 years, he managed a gallery specializing in Gullah art, surrounded by the works of established artists like Jonathan Green. This environment became his real-world education. “Stop saying you don’t have an education,” a fellow artist once told him. “Those 16 years are more education than a lot of people with degrees will ever have.”

During that time, Arun began experimenting with abstract painting, over time his practice evolved into folk art works deeply rooted in storytelling, memory, and heritage. Much of his inspiration came from the realization that when his father passed away, many stories from his upbringing disappeared with him. Arun felt called to preserve those narratives through art.

Storytelling at the Heart of His Work

For Arun, every piece carries a story. “Storytelling is the single most powerful part of my artwork,” he explains. His paintings often include bold symbolism—unfinished baskets to symbolize traditions at risk of being lost, or figures blending into the background to represent cultural erasure.

His work spans series such as:

• The Natural Series – Earth-toned paintings on linen, blending figures into the background to symbolize fading culture.

• Stripes, Lines, and Lineage – Created for the Gibbes Museum, celebrating heritage and generational connections.

• Convergence – A fusion of his bright, early folk art with the muted natural series, bridging tradition with modern aesthetics.

Preserving Gullah Culture

One of Arun’s strongest motivations is preserving the Gullah culture of the South Carolina Lowcountry. “If we don’t start documenting it, preserving it, then it will become lost,” he says. His work is both personal and collective—honoring his own family’s stories while contributing to a broader movement to safeguard traditions for future generations.

Recognition and Purpose

In just five years of working full-time as an artist, Arun has achieved milestones that many dream of. His art is available for purchase at the Gibbes Art Museum and the International African American Museum stores in Charleston, as well as the South Carolina Artisans Center in Walterboro. These achievements, paired with solo exhibitions and consistent community support, affirm that Arun is living his purpose as an artist.

Beyond painting, Arun is expanding his vision with the Drummond Studio Gallery, a space that will showcase other artists alongside his own work. The gallery will focus on emerging southern Black artists but will remain open to artists of all skill levels and career stages. For Arun, the gallery represents a full-circle moment returning to his roots in gallery management while creating opportunities for other artists to share their voices.

Looking Ahead

Arun describes himself as “always evolving.” New projects like the Erasure Series, which addresses cultural erasure and the threats facing traditions today, continue to push his work forward while staying rooted in heritage and social commentary. 

Another new series, What We Carry, features a collection of tote bags designed to spark self-reflection about the emotional and cultural “baggage” people carry every day.

For Arun Drummond, art is more than visual expression. It is preservation, connection, and protest. It is a reminder that stories matter and without storytellers, culture fades.

You can find Arun’s work at major museums in Charleston, local markets, and online at DrummondStudioGallery.com. Follow his journey on Instagram at @ArunDrummondStudio and @DrummondStudioGallery