DERRICK ALEXIS COARD

Derrick Alexis Coard (1981–2017) was a Brooklyn-based artist whose works on paper primarily depict sensitively rendered portraits of bearded Black men. Living with schizoaffective disorder, Coard found solace in Christian spirituality, including Biblical tenets surrounding male grooming, producing a signature body of work. Coard once wrote, ‘I use bearded Black men as symbolic expression for possible change for the African-American male community. Expressing to them that we as a Black male people can be victorious, achieving healing and unity...My work is a testimonial that Black men can be seen in a more positive, righteous light.’ Indeed, while Coard’s figures often appear physically strong, their muscular bodies and armor-like hair are offset by soft, vulnerable eyes. Even when the depicted figures eyes are not directly confronting the viewer, if they gaze beyond the page, appear closed or drifting, or obscured by sunglasses, the same calm but stoic spirit is present.