Studio Visit with Painter Mario Moore

With Open Air, the Gantt Center launches a monthly series of virtual studio visits and intimate conversations with Black contemporary artists across the United States. Join us as we get a behind the scenes look at exciting new art as it's being created, while connecting particular works to some of the most pressing issues of our times.

Historically, African-American artists have been compelled to make their own way within the art world, challenging traditional ideas of cultural representation and creating their own systems of merit, criticality and reward outside of the mainstream. Mario Moore–a rising art star–has achieved acclaim among a broad audience.

In this first conversation, we’ll join Moore as he returns to his hometown Detroit to begin a new body of work. Hosted by curator Dexter Wimberly, Moore will guide viewers through his studio to talk about his process, his inspiration and the realities of living life as an artist without a safety net.

Note: This free virtual program will be streamed on the Gantt Center's official YouTube channel.

Mario Moore (b. 1987) is a Detroit native, currently residing in New York City. Moore received a BFA in Illustration from the College for Creative Studies (2009) and an MFA in Painting from the Yale School of Art (2013). He has participated as an artist-in-residence at Knox College, Fountainhead, and the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation.

Moore’s work has afforded him many opportunities – from multiple exhibitions and articles featured in the New York Times. He has exhibited at the Detroit Institute of Art, the Charles H. Wright Museum, and George N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art. Moore's solo exhibitions include Winston-Salem State University’s Diggs Gallery, The Urban Institute of Contemporary Art and the David Klein Gallery.

His work is also included in Fired Up! Ready to Go! Finding Beauty, Demanding Equity: An African American Life in Art (2017) and the Studio Museum in Harlem’s catalog, Speaking of People: Ebony, Jet and Contemporary Art (2014).  For the 2018 – 2019 school year, he was awarded a Princeton Hodder Fellowship. During the fellowship, Moore created large portraits and paintings featuring Black men who work in and around the Princeton campus, specifically blue collar workers.

Visit his website at mariomoorestudio.com.

Dexter Wimberly is an independent curator and entrepreneur who has organized exhibitions and developed programs with galleries and institutions throughout the world, including The Third Line in Dubai, Koki Arts in Tokyo and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. His exhibitions have been reviewed and featured in publications including the New York Times, Artforum and Hyperallergic.

Wimberly has also served as Director of Strategic Planning at Independent Curators International in New York City. Prior to his curatorial career, Wimberly was the managing partner and CEO of August Bishop advertising agency, representing a diverse array of clients including Adidas, The Coca-Cola Company and BBO. In 2018, Wimberly founded ART WORLD CONFERENCE, a professional development company for visual artists and arts professionals, and serves as its CEO.