Alpha Massaquoi Jr
artist & Curator
ALPHA Massaquoi Jr. is a Baltimore based artist that works primarily with large drawings made with charcoal and pastels.
Led By the Holy Spirit
Led by the Holy Spirit is an exhibition of charcoal portraits that embody the journey of Alpha Massaquoi as he navigates out of the darkness caused by pain and into the light of love. Taking inspiration from Gothic period paintings, emphasizing the figure’s importance through light depiction, he employs dramatic effects of contrast and depicts individuals whose life experiences bare similarities to his own.
For a bit too long, Black Joy and Black Beauty have been placed in the background by society as an ambient noise meant to be forgotten. We are often reminded of our plight and struggles to be seen as humans and nothing less. This show is a celebration of black beauty. Alpha’s goal with these charcoal drawings was to highlight each figure's beauty and show a glimpse of the everyday struggle through their facial expression, lighting, and titles.