• Barak adé Soleil

  • 2020

Artist's Website

Grant Summary
Fellowship.
Keywords
Artist Statement
i’ve been part of the contemporary art scene since 1990. My creative practice draws on traditions of the African diaspora, queerness, postmodernism and disability aesthetics. I embrace complexity, nuances of intersectionality; the ways our identities overlap and invoke radicality. Conceptually, the artistry continues to evolve. The performance is performative, making visible how pedestrian actions - crossing the street, lying in bed, shifting in a chair, ascending stairs - can become extraordinary. The moving body is still central to the making of the work, but less concerned with trying to be anything other than itself; navigating aging, resting, ferocity and softness. Individually and in relation to others. Queerly being me, being Black, being Crip, being…

  • [Barak angle one] , Barak adé Soleil Image Description: Image of a large black male in dark clothing lying face down on top of a piece of light brown butcher paper, that is on the floor. Only the upper half of the body is visible. the black male is using one arm to write on the paper with a red marker. The visible arm is bent at a slight right angle with the hand in a fisted position while writing. The marker's cap lies on the floor off of the paper. Photo by Melissa Cardona.

  • [Barak angle two] , Barak adé Soleil Image Description: Image of a large black male in dark clothing lying on the side, while on top of a piece of light brown butcher paper that is on the floor. The body is in a twisted position visible from the knees up. One arm partially covers the face, holding a red marker that is pressed on the paper. The other arm that is closer to the floor slightly gestures with hand reaching away from the body. The marker's cap lies on the floor off of the paper. There is a mirrored impression of the body reflected on the surface of the shiny floor. Photo by Melissa Cardona.