By Any Means Necessary

By Any Means Necessary is a bold piece is inspired by the iconic 1964 photograph of Malcolm X by Don Hogan Charles, reimagined in full color for a modern world. Bring the power, legacy, and spirit of Malcolm X into your home with this original, By Any Means Necessary acrylic painting by artist Jessica Wong.

I’ve admired Malcolm X my entire life, it was both an honor and a deeply emotional responsibility. I’ve never painted an iconic figure before, and this felt monumental. I needed to do him justice. Every stroke was guided by intention, and every choice was made with care. Because acrylic paint dries so quickly, I made sure to add layers of color for necessary depth and dimension.

This work is based on one of Malcolm X’s most famous photographs. All of his imagery is in black and white, so I made the decision to bring this one to life in full color with this acrylic painting. The palette I used gives a retro feel, nodding to the era he lived in while reimagining him in a vibrant, modern context. His hair and his signature shades were rendered to feel like who he might have been today—bold, brilliant, unapologetic. The gun he holds is historically accurate, just as it appeared in the original photo. I didn’t want to rewrite history. I wanted to honor it.

This image means power. It means courage. It means resilience. It means backbone. For me, this painting became more than just a piece of art—it became a mirror of my own voice as an artist and a Black woman, rising to meet the weight of a legacy that shaped so much of who I am.