Boe Beryl

My work explores the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality, navigating the complexities of identity through layered forms and narratives. I examine how these dimensions shape personal and collective experiences while contending with external forces that seek to define them. My art confronts societal pressures, inviting viewers to question the roles that politics, sexuality, and culture play in shaping identity.

Part 1 – The Diaspora in America: Outward Reflections and Intimate Expressions focuses on the experiences of the African diaspora in America. The white canvas surrounding the images highlights the tension between how marginalized identities are viewed externally and their intimate realities. The varying amounts of white paint symbolize the influence of mainstream society on different subgroups within the Black diaspora. Jagged lines and fragmented shapes capture the discord of navigating a world that attempts to define Black identity through narrow lenses.

The centerpiece, a Peinture double face, reflects the imposition of white narratives on Black spaces and psyches, stripping away agency and culture. Yet, Blackness stands resilient at the core, reflecting the white gaze back on its owners and purging stereotypes. The subject is surrounded by a red background, symbolizing the lifeblood of the Black experience. Throughout my work, there is a level of pride – cast through the subjects looking directly at the viewer.

Through my pieces, I explore vulnerability and resilience, reflecting on the ongoing struggle for self-determination amidst a world that often confines marginalized communities. My art is not just a reflection but a celebration of the richness of layered identities.