Arts Directory

About

Artist Bio

Melvin Nesbitt Jr is a D.C.-based visual artist and storyteller reconceiving the Black American experience. Born in South Carolina, his youth was spent in the Spartanburg housing project, an experience that has directly influenced his artistic practice today. Through collage and mixed media works, he portrays the joyful innocence of his younger years, as a child in the early 1980s. While a poignant examination of race and poverty in contemporary society, his work’s inherent nostalgia resonates with people of all ages inspiring a deeper sense of community.

Nesbitt’s work has gained acclaim with an extensive exhibition history at institutions including the Museum of Contemporary African Diaspora Art (MOCADA), an Art Bank grantee, and a recent fellow of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Artist Statement

Melvin Nesbitt Jr.’s vibrant collages serve as poignant vessels of nostalgia and joy, inviting viewers into a world where memories intertwine with vibrant imagination. Much like the intricate fabric of human experiences that shape our identities, Nesbitt’s collages weave disparate elements into a harmonious tapestry while respecting the individual integrity of each component.

In his masterful compositions, saturated hues and dynamic figures beckon us, reminiscent of cherished picture books. Yet, beneath this beguiling surface lies a profound layer of social commentary that speaks to the complex realities of race and poverty. Nesbitt’s art becomes a lens through which we explore the intricate relationships of Black American children—their connections with one another, their families, their communities, and the very environment that molds their lives.

Rooted in the art of collage, Melvin Nesbitt Jr. is not merely an artist; he is a community builder. Through his creative process, disparate fragments coalesce into scenes drawn from the artist’s own youth. Painted paper, recycled materials, charcoal, paint, and fabric converge, each layer a testament to lived experiences that challenge prevailing narratives of the Black American journey. These narratives, imbued with themes of exuberance and delight, draw parallels to the innocence of youth, mirroring the storybooks that often overlooked Nesbitt’s own community. His work exudes an undeniable fondness for his roots, casting a spell of nostalgia, unity, and hope upon all who engage with it.

Central to Nesbitt’s oeuvre is his focus on the lives of Black children within low-income public housing communities—a theme profoundly influenced by his personal recollections of growing up in Spartanburg, SC during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Rooted in his own formative years, these collages are a celebration of play, joy, and innocence, capturing the essence of childhood against the backdrop of unique circumstances.

Symbolically, paper emerges as a powerful metaphor for the Black American experience. Just as paper is often discarded as litter while simultaneously serving essential functions, Black Americans have historically been undervalued even as their contributions have been pivotal to the nation’s progress. Drawing parallels between the overlooked potential of paper and the under appreciated value of Black lives within American society, Nesbitt invites us to confront the disparities that persist despite the undeniable foundations laid by Black individuals.

The essence of Nesbitt’s art lies not only in the materials he employs, but also in the narratives he unearths and elevates. Through his evocative collages, he bridges the past and the present, inviting us to reflect on the interconnectedness of our experiences. With an artist’s touch, Melvin Nesbitt Jr. transforms his memories into a vibrant tapestry that resonates with shared emotions, a testament to the enduring power of art to provoke thought, foster unity, and inspire change.