Kevin Beasley

Kevin Beasley, born in 1985 in Lynchburg, Virginia, is an American artist whose work spans sculpture, performance art, and sound installation. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, in 2007, and later, in 2012, he obtained a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Yale University, marking a pivotal step in his artistic development.

Kevin Beasley's Art Style

Kevin Beasley's art is characterized by the incorporation of found materials, particularly clothing, and casting materials like resin and foam. What sets his work apart is the hands-on process he employs. As these materials cure and set, Beasley physically engages with them, leaving traces of his body. This process highlights his fascination with sculpture that captures both the artist's presence and a distinct bodily quality.

Many of Beasley's sculptures feature audio equipment or are integrated into sound-based installations and performances. His artistic practice seamlessly intertwines the visual and auditory realms, creating immersive experiences for viewers.

Kevin Beasley's Exhibitions

Beasley gained widespread recognition when he was featured in the Whitney Museum of American Art's 2014 Whitney Biennial. His site-specific installation incorporated sculptures embedded with microphones, which captured the ambient sounds of the Biennial and its visitors.

In 2015, Beasley's work was featured in the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum's exhibition 'Storylines: Contemporary Art at the Guggenheim.' Two of his pieces, 'Strange Fruit: Part I' and 'Strange Fruit: Part II,' are assemblages of shoes and integrated found materials with embedded microphones and speakers. These sculptures reflected ambient sounds back to museum visitors, drawing on references to the iconic protest song 'Strange Fruit' and the cultural significance of Air Jordans.