April Bey

Born in 1987 in The Bahamas (New Providence), April Bey is a visual artist and dedicated art educator, currently holding a tenured professorship at Glendale College in Los Angeles. Her artistry is a captivating blend of imagination, culture, and social critique that transcends conventional boundaries.

2022 marked a significant milestone in April Bey's career as she made her solo debut with the prestigious Simon Lee Gallery. This event followed a series of solo exhibitions, each a testament to her growing influence and artistic prowess, at venues like TERN Gallery, Gavlak Gallery, and the California African American Museum.  

April Bey's Art Style

At the heart of April Bey's interdisciplinary art lies the fictional planet of Atlantica, a world she has crafted with an Afrofuturist lens. This alternate reality redefines Blackness, breaking free from the shadows of white supremacy and colonial suffering. Drawing inspiration from both American and Bahamian visual culture, as well as contemporary pop culture, Bey's paintings serve as a potent social critique.

One of the hallmarks of Bey's art is her skillful incorporation of mass-produced objects and reproductive media. This includes techniques like printmaking and video, highlighting how images shape our perception of reality in an increasingly virtual world. Her work challenges us to question the pervasive influence of images and the power they hold over our lives.

April Bey: Crafting Afrofuturist Art

April Bey's artistic journey has been deeply rooted in her development of Atlantica, a project that has spanned years and evolved into a critical exploration of Afrofuturism and speculative fiction. Her latest body of work continues to expand the boundaries of her unique vision, envisioning an ecosystem of mutual aid and acts of reparation.

What sets Bey apart is her unwavering commitment to her craft. Her works are painstakingly labor-intensive, with meticulous attention to detail, even in the choice of materials. Many of her pieces incorporate fabrics and elements sourced from Black femme-owned businesses, emphasizing her dedication to supporting and uplifting marginalized voices.