His works currently on view at the Des Moines Art Center engage with the complexities of what it means to be Black in America from the perspective of an Iowa native.
By Christa Terry • 08/14/24 6:01pm
b. Robert Moore’s works are an exploration of identity. Tobias "Borg" Tyler
Multidisciplinary artist b. Robert Moore drew as a child but didn’t start painting seriously until 2017, as a way to facilitate healing after struggling with addiction. He credits art with saving his life, which isn’t unusual for those who turn to creative pursuits as a balm in challenging times, but in Moore’s case, the output of his cathartic foray into painting eventually attracted the notice of art world insiders and collectors in Los Angeles, Chicago and other cultural hubs.
His first solo show in 2023, “Out the Mud: A Black American Rite of Passage,” sold out at Thinkspace Projects in L.A. While Moore may not yet be a household name, his work is in the collections of people whose names you likely do recognize: television personality Gayle King, musician Lil Yachty, actress Taraji P. Henson and actor Taye Diggs, among others. You’ll also find his paintings in the Wright Collection and the collection of Joy Simmons.
Moore focuses on social justice and Black identity in his work, drawing on his own story and those of loved ones—his work is often overtly political (as with Every Ni**a A Star, which was first shown in “Out the Mud”) but much of it is also personal in a way that not only challenges stereotypes of Black American life but also gives off a powerfully comforting aura of closeness. His visually direct portraits are striking in their intimacy; there’s a sense of being invited into someone else’s family reunion.
b. Robert Moore, Back In My Day Times Were Different (2024); Mixed media installation with paintings, found furniture and household objects, dimensions variable. BRITTANY BROOKE CROW / Courtesy of the artist
If you’d like to see Moore’s work in person, his solo exhibition, “In Loving Memory,” is at the Des Moines Art Center through October 20 (the institution added his painting Kin to War to its permanent collection). Curated by Laura Burkhalter in partnership with b. Robert Moore, the show pairs a selection of his paintings with two stirring installations: Back In My Day Times Were Different and Involuntary State. Observer recently caught up with the artist to discuss his practice, his inspirations and the artists he’s excited about.
First, tell me a little bit about your practice and how it has evolved over time.
My artistic practice began as a therapeutic escape, where I sought to affirm my complex identity as a Black American amidst alienating ideologies. Initially, my work reimagined popular comic strip characters as Black individuals, making bold statements on representation and identity. Over time, my art has evolved to explore more profound and raw depictions of Black American life, celebrating its heroes and revealing its hidden figures. My current exhibition is a culmination of this journey, challenging stereotypes and offering a poignant exploration of family and identity from the perspective of an Iowa native. The exhibition spans three distinct rooms, each evoking different aspects of the Black experience, from the warmth of a grandmother’s living room to solemn tributes to fallen kin.
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