Cultural Canvases: Black Men Reshaping Fine Art and Creative Spaces presented by ArtAboveReality

Badir McCleary of ArtAboveReality
  • 5.0 (4)
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Cultural Canvases: Black Men Reshaping Fine Art and Creative Spaces presented by ArtAboveReality — the podcast that dives deep into the vibrant world of contemporary art, design, and digital creativity through the lenses of Black male professionals. Join me, Badir McCleary, your host, and curator, as we venture on a journey through the fascinating narratives and insightful perspectives of these groundbreaking artists and visionaries.

  1. 07/11/2025

    Cultural Canvases - S2 E4 - Jamiah Calvin

    In this episode, we talk with Jamiah Calvin, a fine artist and muralist born and raised in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side. His work is deeply shaped by both the realities of his upbringing and the imaginative worlds he built as a means of escape. A graduate of Prosser Vocational School, Jamiah went on to serve in the military, an experience that allowed him to live and work across the globe. After his service, he pursued a BFA in Fine Art at Northern Illinois University. His artwork has been exhibited nationally and internationally, with murals spanning cities across the U.S. and abroad. Yet, for Jamiah, the most meaningful moments come when his work is seen and celebrated in his hometown of Chicago. Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join

    1h 1m

  2. 07/11/2025

    Cultural Canvases - S2 E3 - Antonio Miller

    In this episode, we talk with Antonio Miller, a multidisciplinary artist based in Newark, whose work explores memory, Black identity, and cultural inheritance through collage, painting, and installation. Drawing from personal archives and found materials, he constructs immersive environments that celebrate the textures and rhythms of everyday Black life. Currently an Artist-in-Residence with the Paul Robeson Galleries at Express Newark, Miller is preparing for his debut solo exhibition, Hey Young World!, set to open in Fall 2025.Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join

    57 min

  3. 07/11/2025

    Cultural Canvases - S2 E2 - Darryl Eisden and Cervello Artistico

    In this episode, we talk with Darryl Eisden, a Dutch-Caribbean artist based in Barcelona, redefines sculpture through a unique fusion of plastiline and traditional clay techniques. His work seeks to animate the inanimate—to breathe life into form, making stillness feel as if it moves. He describes his approach as “graffiti in sculpture,” a bold departure from conventional expectations of the medium. Once a musician, Darryl found a new rhythm in sculpture, channeling his need for expression through shape and structure. His ongoing project, Cervello Artistico, shines a light on working artists across Barcelona and Europe, celebrating the vibrancy of contemporary creative communities.Join the ArtAboveReality channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9S0S2OYmTsmQf5nqMQZhUw/join

    54 min

  4. 04/15/2025

    Cultural Canvases - S2 E1 - Black Dave

    Welcome to "Cultural Canvases: Black Men Reshaping Fine Art and Creative Spaces" presented by ArtAboveReality — the podcast that dives deep into the vibrant world of contemporary art, design, and digital creativity through the lenses of Black male professionals. Join me, Badir McCleary, your host, and curator, as we venture on a journey through the fascinating narratives and insightful perspectives of these groundbreaking artists and visionaries.

    1h 8m

  5. 01/08/2025

    Episode Thirteen - Charles Mason III

    In this episode, I speak with Charles Mason III, a fine artist based in Baltimore, MD. He received his BFA from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and MFA in Studio Art from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He is a Trawick Prize Winner and has artwork in the permanent collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art, the James E. Lewis Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art Special Collections, and the Hammer Museum Grunwald Center Collection. Welcome to "Cultural Canvases: Black Men Reshaping Fine Art and Creative Spaces" presented by ArtAboveReality — the podcast that dives deep into the vibrant world of contemporary art, design, and digital creativity through the lenses of Black male professionals. Join me, Badir McCleary, your host, and curator, as we venture on a journey through the fascinating narratives and insightful perspectives of these groundbreaking artists and visionaries. In each episode, we'll unravel the threads of their unique journeys, exploring the challenges they've overcome, the triumphs that define their artistic narratives, and the goals that keep them putting in overtime in their studios and boardrooms. From gallery walls to global stages, we'll celebrate these diverse talents that are redefining the face of creativity. But that's not all. "Cultural Canvases" goes beyond the canvas, delving into the broader ecosystem. Tune in for engaging discussions on current events impacting the creative space, market trends, and the rich historical context that shapes contemporary expression.

    1h 25m

  6. 01/08/2025

    Episode Twelve - Marly McFly

    In this episode, I chat with Marly McFly, a self-taught artist from Newport News, VA. Drawing influences from his life and surroundings. He incorporates nostalgia and pop culture, to create narrative-driven works. His characters are utilized to address ideas of self-expression, empowerment, hope, and resilience. His work is the perfect mix of contemporary, pop, and urban street art and has successfully exhibited in major international markets including New York, Paris, and Tokyo. He has also collaborated with brands such as Nike, the MLB, the NBA, and Nickelodeon among others. Let’s take a listen. Welcome to "Cultural Canvases: Black Men Reshaping Fine Art and Creative Spaces" presented by ArtAboveReality — the podcast that dives deep into the vibrant world of contemporary art, design, and digital creativity through the lenses of Black male professionals. Join me, Badir McCleary, your host, and curator, as we venture on a journey through the fascinating narratives and insightful perspectives of these groundbreaking artists and visionaries. In each episode, we'll unravel the threads of their unique journeys, exploring the challenges they've overcome, the triumphs that define their artistic narratives, and the goals that keep them putting in overtime in their studios and boardrooms. From gallery walls to global stages, we'll celebrate these diverse talents that are redefining the face of creativity. But that's not all. "Cultural Canvases" goes beyond the canvas, delving into the broader ecosystem. Tune in for engaging discussions on current events impacting the creative space, market trends, and the rich historical context that shapes contemporary expression.

    1h 4m

  7. 09/13/2024

    Episode Eleven - Slim Jeff

    In this episode, I chat with artist, musician, and manager Slim Jeff. Originally from the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles, He is a member of the electronic band CAPYAC, in addition to his solo career. He has toured North America and played shows in Africa, Asia, & Europe. As a manager, he helped his biggest client earn a Grammy nomination for production work on Nas - King's Disease II. SlimJeff continues to create and perform internationally while offering advice for growth for many of LA’s up-and-comers. Let’s take a listen.

    57 min

  8. 06/03/2024

    Episode Ten - Bentley Brown

    In this episode, I chat with Bentley Brown a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and educator at the Parsons School of Design. His research focuses on the role of Black artists and creative spaces in New York City’s contemporary art movements from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s. His 2019 exhibition, "Frederick J. Brown: Dreams and the Possibility Of...," explored his father’s concept of dreams and the American Dream, analyzing motifs and fictional characters to highlight tensions between self, myth, and home. Brown holds a master's degree in African Studies from University College London. His artistic practice, influenced by African American cultural production, abstract and figurative expressionism, and the desert landscape of Phoenix, uses canvas, found objects, photo-collage, and film to explore themes of Black identity, cosmology, and American interculturalism..

    1h 12m
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Cultural Canvases: Black Men Reshaping Fine Art and Creative Spaces presented by ArtAboveReality — the podcast that dives deep into the vibrant world of contemporary art, design, and digital creativity through the lenses of Black male professionals. Join me, Badir McCleary, your host, and curator, as we venture on a journey through the fascinating narratives and insightful perspectives of these groundbreaking artists and visionaries.

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