The Richard Beavers Gallery returns to its Brooklyn roots with the exhibit “American Fiction,” with works by Brooklyn-native Clarence Heyward that confronts the complexities of Black id and media illustration in America.
A brand new exhibit showcasing the works of artist and Brooklyn-native Clarence Heyward on the Richard Beavers Gallery invitations viewers to mirror on the load of the nation’s historical past, whereas advocating for a simply future for Black America.
Located within the coronary heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant, the gallery kicked off Black Historical past Month with American Fiction, that includes 13 works by Heyward, whose artwork explores themes of id, heritage and the Black expertise in America.
The exhibition blurs the strains between historical past, creativeness and actuality, unfolding as a cinematic journey that layers collective reminiscence with private expertise. Heyward’s work are fragmented chapters in themselves, exploring the stress between enduring techniques and the pressing want for transformation. His uncooked, poetic imaginative and prescient doesn’t obscure the reality—it amplifies it.
The exhibition additionally serves as each a disclaimer and an invite, urging viewers to confront the conflicting narratives embedded within the American consciousness. It poses the questions: Who writes our story, and whose voices stay unheard? Heyward reclaims artwork as a radical software to reshape the narrative of Black America, daring the viewers not simply to rethink the previous, however to rewrite the long run.
“The concept of America being for everybody is fiction,” mentioned Heyward, underscoring the central message of the present.
One of many signature parts of Heyward’s work is his use of Chroma Key inexperienced. His figures, usually offered as frontal, single-figure portraits towards shiny, flat backgrounds, mirror the complexity of Black id.
“I exploit inexperienced in relation to the Chroma Key, which is a inexperienced display utilized in media,” defined Heyward. “I communicate particularly to Blackness and Black individuals. The media shapes perceptions utilizing expertise, and I paint Black individuals inexperienced to indicate how these perceptions are created and distorted.”
Camouflage additionally performs a central function in his artwork, symbolizing the continuing wrestle towards violence directed at Black our bodies and the expertise of being sure—to put, historical past, physique and nation. These motifs evoke a legacy of protest and survival, difficult viewers to rethink justice, patriotism and collective energy.
Redefining narratives is rooted in Heyward’s personal transformative journey into the world of artwork.
“I used to color and draw as a child and went to LaGuardia Excessive Faculty, however I didn’t begin portray critically till six years in the past,” he shared. “Once I turned 35, with my household’s assist, I made a decision I wished extra. I give up my job and have become an artist. I’ve lived right here half my life, and I didn’t know this was doable, so it feels good to indicate individuals within the neighborhood what they’ll obtain. That is all I do now.”
After closing the Soho location, Richard Beavers mentioned the gallery’s concentrate on Mattress-Stuy marks a renewed dedication to giving artists a platform and the sources to succeed whereas remaining rooted in Brooklyn.
“Rising up, we needed to depart Brooklyn to expertise artwork, and I wished to carry that zeal again house,” he mentioned. “It’s about giving our neighborhood entry to artwork created by artists who appear to be us, work that displays our tradition.”
Beavers mentioned he likes to showcase artists with authenticity.
“Once I take a look at Clarence’s work, the presence of the Black male determine and camouflage stands out. It’s highly effective and significant. There’s a resounding message in Clarence’s work that America wants to listen to and see, and we’ll proceed to advocate for him.”
The Richard Beavers Gallery is positioned at 408 Marcus Garvey Blvd.
