Author: Maila Carmona

b. ROBERT MOORE
Out the Mud: A Black American Rite of Passage

On view March 4 – March 25, 2023 in Gallery I

Opening Reception:
Saturday, March 4 from 6-10pm

• FREE show poster to the first 150 people through the door (shared above)

Thinkspace Projects is honored to present b. Robert Moore’s inaugural solo show ‘Out the Mud: A Black American Rite Of Passage.’ Self-taught and multidisciplinary artist, Moore, uses art as a means to process both the personal and the societal. He provides the perspective that a quick glance may not. Noticing that, like many humans and human experiences the exterior is merely a facade that does not dive into the true interior, the influences and experiences that impact them and thus human nature typically has a subjective stance. Robert attempts to strip away those subjective “soft” assumptions of narrative, instead, calling them out directly. That is the goal in his work, to conflict and provoke thought of narrative of the African and African American diaspora as well as social and civil experiences of underrepresented people and narratives. A true representation of his experiences through a collective community lens, Moore maintains that art should be felt, not just seen.

For this debut solo exhibition, b. Robert Moore, lays out his experience as a Black American, in the perspective of a linear ‘Rite of Passage’, as his experiences and those of the Black community in America.

In describing this body of work, Moore says, “For many Black Americans, we have no direct understanding of our traditional African tribes rite of passage. Our only Rite Of Passage is what we have inherited by being born descendants of African slaves here in America. For many, birth and childhood are traumatic, coming of age is a form of warfare (if we even survive). We are conditioned to not understand marital structure, we experience religious confusion through manipulation, death…. And more. With the hope that our coming of Age, our Rite of Passage, is to make it past the age of 25…. If we do, some of us may even thrive. We may even find a smile. We may recreate. We may be the rose that grew from concrete. Out The Mud.”

Artist Bio:
b. Robert Moore (b.1983) Des Moines, Iowa | Lakewood, California. Robert, a multidisciplinary contemporary artist started painting to counter drug addiction and alcoholism among mental and emotional health outlets. A self taught folk artist, Robert’s mastery is infant but seasoned and continues to be a focus of his practice. Mastery of his passion.

To Robert, he is constantly in pursuit of happiness, which in his current state is defined by fulfillment + purpose. He finds purpose in connecting narrative and opening doors for connection, relation, healing, discussion. From up-cycled sculpture to abstract portrait and urban neo-expressionism, Robert has defined his genre or style as “narrative”. He is purposeful with every word, brushstroke and connection to the work with contention if intentionally or accidental occurrences influenced the work.

Thinkspace Projects
4217 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90016