Desmond Beach
As an artist, I am continually drawn to the powerful words of James Baldwin, whose statements about the struggle of being a conscious Black individual in America resonate deeply with me. "To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time" (Baldwin). My work is an authentic expression of my lived experience, a quest to explore and illuminate the complexities of the Black experience through art. My work is rooted in the rich tradition of African storytelling, a thread that runs through each piece I create. My ancestors and those of the African Diaspora are honored in my work, and through performance and installation art, I build sacred spaces for their souls to rest.
My ultimate goal as an artist is to transform the horrific into the beautiful, to take the pain and trauma of the Black experience and turn it into something that inspires and uplifts. Recent and historical events related to the African-American experience and anti-Blackness inspire my work, driving me to explore these themes in new and thought-provoking ways.
I draw inspiration from a wide range of sources, including images of Black people during the Middle Passage and the Jim Crow South and their representation in today's mass media. My work often addresses the racial stereotypes that affect Black people. My deliberate remixing and reexamining of the Black struggle and their resilience is an invitation to dialogue about these issues. My work spans a variety of media, including performance, sculpture, mixed media, installation, fiber art, costume, painting, and photography. Each piece is a unique expression of my artistic vision, a forum for illuminating the existence of the nameless and amplifying the voices of the marginalized.
Desmond Beach is an artist and educator based in New York City. His journey began at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. Beach's artistic pursuits have taken him across the country, participating in fellowships at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Skidmore College, and the Bayard Rustin Art Fellowship in New York City. He has also shared his artistic vision through residencies at the Women Housing Coalition in Baltimore, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Silver Spring, and a teaching fellow at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine. His artistic influence extends beyond studios and galleries, as he has served as a visiting artist/lecturer at institutions like Coppin State University and Emerson College.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Beach's identity as the middle son of three boys informs his artistic perspective. He identifies as an interdisciplinary artist, meaning his creative expression transcends singular mediums. His work often tackles specific social issues and historical injustices. Using his experiences as a Black man and the complexities of Baltimore's history, Beach's art creates sacred spaces for reflection and healing. He achieves this through diverse mediums, including sculpture, costume, fiber arts, installations, performances, and mixed media.
