GABOUT THE ARTIST
dialogue between history and lived e t bridges the traditions of old world painting with the contemporary struggles and triumphs of Black America. Born in the post-integration Deep South and raised in the resilient confines of a governmental housing project, Byrd's artistic journey is deeply rooted in his personal history. Weekends spent at his grandmother's house-a rural slave cabin surrounded by fields of wildflowers and butterflies, without the modern convenience of running water-imbued him with a profound connection to his ancestral past. This juxtaposition of beauty and hardship informs his powerful, meticulously rendered images. Byrd reimagines Black bodies and historical figures through classical techniques, inviting viewers to explore a layered past that is as rich with sorrow as it is with the strength and vitality of a people who have overcome immense adversity. His canvases echo the complexity of Black life, capturing moments of quiet dignity, communal resilience, and unyielding joy. Byrd's art is inseparable from his lifelong commitment to his community. Serving as an alderman for twenty years and founding a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the arts to underserved neighborhoods, he embodies the intersection of artistic vision and civic responsibility. Each brushstroke in his work serves as an act of reclamation-restoring forgotten narratives, affirming identity, and challenging traditional portrayals of Black history. In doing so, Byrd not only pays homage to the resilience of his forebears but also inspires a renewed dialogue about empowerment, representation, and the transformative power of art in the struggle for social justice.
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Reeves
Kowboyz kidz Series
Oil on canvas/ Mixed media
36" x 48"
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Bass