Latest Artwork
© Ernesto Beckford, Chadds Ford PA (2021-2024)
Heritage Threads.
This collage exudes a sense of fluidity as it weaves together traditions and eras, symbolizing the embrace of diverse identities today. The central figure radiates resilience and valor, wearing a blue jacket adorned with patches that seamlessly blend traditional and modern styles. Each patch celebrates multiculturalism and historical depth, forming a tapestry of experiences that shape the individual. Through varied materials and textures, the collage captures the intricate richness of identity, showcasing how personal and collective histories shape who we are now.
Collage Size: 18 x 24 inches.
Completed 2024.
Edenic.
Portrait of a young woman in a moment of simultaneous realization of self and innocence, as if she were Eve in the Garden of Eden. The artwork represents the interplay between discovery and purity. Handmade collage using paper, pastels, watercolor, and twine. The collage is a part of my series exploring the use of rope in artistic expression.
Collage Size: 9.5 x 16 inches.
Completed 2024.
Red is for Radical.
Red is often associated with radicalism, encompassing feelings of rage, reflection, and a desire for reform. These characteristics are usually attributed to individuals who do not conform to societal norms; to outsiders who wish to be accepted as they are. The figure depicted in this piece embodies the idea of a red radical but is softened by including a feather in their headdress -- a quill, a pen. This serves as a reminder that while taking action is essential, words are also a powerful physical force. Mightier than the sword, as they say. Handmade collage using bits and pieces of paper, string, watercolor, soft pastels, and glue.
Collage Size: 14x14 inches
Completed in 2024
Roped.
Caught between modesty, sensuality, and sexual identity. Handmade collage using bits and pieces of paper, magazines, watercolor, soft pastel, and twine.
Collage Size: 15.8 x 23.5 inches
Completed in 2024
Sunrise.
As the first light of day breaks the horizon, casting long shadows, a solitary figure stands tall amidst the golden glow. His silhouette stretched long and slender by the morning sun, reaches out in reverence to the sky. With outstretched arms, amid the dance of light and shadow, the man melds into the beauty of the morning dawn. Handmade collage; paper on paper.
Collage Size: 9.5 x 26 inches.
Completed 2024.
Period of Discovery.
Image of a shirtless man against a vibrant green background, with mechanical parts revealed beneath his skin. His neutral expression and crossed hands over his chest suggest self-protection. The artwork symbolizes periods of life marked by transition and discovery, such as sexual awakening or career changes. The man’s crossed hands indicate he is safeguarding his core identity during this transformative phase. Vibrant colors and surreal elements emphasize the emotional complexity and intensity of his journey. The collage conveys the tension between change and preservation, highlighting the delicate balance of embracing new aspects of oneself while maintaining personal integrity. Mixed media collage (paper on paper, watercolor and pastels).
Collage Size: 9.25 x 14. inches.
Completed 2024.
Letters in the Wind.
A somewhat melancholic and surreal collage. Handmade using bits and pieces of paper, watercolors and glue.
Collage Size: 9 x 13.25 inches.
Blue is For Boy.
Examining masculinity and fluidity. Handmade collage using magazine ads, bits and pieces of paper, watercolor, soft pastels, and glue.
Collage Size: 17 x 18.25 inches.
Large Moonlight.
A beautiful young woman with dreadlocks and soulful eyes, walks on a cloudy evening, under the mysterious light of a blue moon. Mixed media collage made from paper, pastels, and watercolor.
Collage Size: 11.5x11 inches.
Completed 2024
Fragmented Visability
This collage, "Fragmented Visibility," encapsulates the struggle of individuals attempting to assert their identities amidst societal suppression. The fragmented and overlapping pieces of the face symbolize the fractured yet persistent efforts to be seen and recognized. The juxtaposition of clear and obscured elements highlights the tension between self-expression and external constraints, reflecting the contemporary challenges of navigating visibility and identity in a world that often imposes limitations and barriers.
Collage Size: 9.5 x 13.25 inches.
Clockwork 52.
Handmade collage exploring the intricate mechanisms within a wristwatch, showcasing a myriad of dials, gears, jewels, and the unique personality embedded in the heart of the timepiece. Made from old books, bits and pieces of paper, and watercolor. Significant source material for this collage were print ads for wrist watches.
Collage Size: 11.5 x 13.25 inches.