Derrick Alexis Coard’s portraits are a sensitive, positive testimony to Black men
The late artist Derrick Alexis Coard’s retrospective ‘I Am That I Am’, at New York’s Salon 94, honours his ‘symbolic expression for possible change for the African-American male community’

There’s currently no shortage of energetic New York art exhibitions to sink your teeth into, and Salon 94’s summer showcase certainly satisfies. Inspired by the buzz of New York’s streets, the contemporary art gallery is currently presenting four exhibitions, including works from John Ahearn and Rigoberto Torres' interpretation of the Bronx neighbourhood; Ruby Neri’s spray-painted pieces; and portraits from Robert Pruitt. Perhaps most notable is Derrick Alexis Coard’s retrospective, which showcases more than 30 works by the late Brooklyn-based artist, whose portraits of Black men with beards are cast in his sensitive and signature style.
Derrick Alexis Coard, 'I Am that I Am'
The Liquid Revenge, 2015
The exhibition, ‘I Am That I Am’, channels the solace and somewhat spiritual tone in Coard’s sketches and paintings. His works are predominantly on paper, with his earliest portraits crafted when inspiration happened to strike, on park benches, in subways, cafés and city streets.
Lounging at the Cafe, 2012
Coard once explained, ‘I use bearded Black men as symbolic expression for possible change for the African-American male community... My work is a testimonial that Black men can be seen in a more positive, righteous light.’
With contrasting materials, block colours and angular edges, the portraits suggest a physical strength, which is offset by the subjects’ soft and vulnerable eyes and poses.
The Regal, 2014
The gaze of each subject drifts off into the distance, as if in a day dream or trance, deep in thought or at peace, while a garnish of spiritual references adds to suggestions of compassion – in contrast to and highlighting the context of negative stereotypes in which the works have been created. Taking the viewer through Coard’s life’s work, the portraits, crafted in pastels, graphite, and markers, stand independently while also in unison.
Derrick Alexis Coard's 'I Am That I Am' runs until 16 August 2024 salon94.com
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Tianna Williams is Wallpaper*s staff writer. When she isn’t writing extensively across varying content pillars ranging from design, and architecture to travel, and art, she also helps put together the daily newsletter. She enjoys speaking to emerging artists, designers, and architects, writing about gorgeously designed houses and restaurants, and day-dreaming about her next travel destination.
-
Rediscover a classic midcentury hotel in Sydney
Fender Katsalidis leads a major renovation of the landmark Sofitel Sydney Wentworth hotel, pairing 1960s modernism with an elevated, Australian-minded reset
-
Haute Couture Week A/W 2025: what to expect
Five moments to look out for at Haute Couture Week A/W 2025 in Paris (starting Monday 7 July), from Glenn Martens’ debut for Maison Margiela to Demna’s Balenciaga swansong. Plus, ‘new beginnings’ from JW Anderson
-
Inside Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House – a project built with accessibility at its heart
The dwelling, which you can visit in Illinois, is a classic example of Wright’s Usonian architecture, and was also built for a client with a disability long before accessibility was widely considered
-
‘Her pictures looked like pictures everybody knew were the truth’: Diane Arbus at the Armory
Matthieu Humery curates more than 400 of Arbus’ photographs at New York’s Park Avenue Armory – every picture she was known to have printed
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the week
It was a jam-packed week for the Wallpaper* staff, entailing furniture, tech and music launches and lots of good food – from afternoon tea to omakase
-
Out of office: what the Wallpaper* editors have been up to this week
This week saw the Wallpaper* team jet-setting to Jordan and New York; those of us left in London had to make do with being transported via the power of music at rooftop bars, live sets and hologram performances
-
New book celebrates 100 years of New York City landmarks where LGBTQ+ history took place
Marc Zinaman’s ‘Queer Happened Here: 100 Years of NYC’s Landmark LGBTQ+ Places’ is a vital tribute to queer culture
-
Ai Weiwei’s new public installation is coming soon to Four Freedoms State Park
‘Camouflage’ by Ai Weiwei will launch the inaugural Art X Freedom project in September 2025, a new programme to investigate social justice and freedom
-
Leonard Baby's paintings reflect on his fundamentalist upbringing, a decade after he left the church
The American artist considers depression and the suppressed queerness of his childhood in a series of intensely personal paintings, on show at Half Gallery, New York
-
This rainbow-coloured flower show was inspired by Luis Barragán's architecture
Modernism shows off its flowery side at the New York Botanical Garden's annual orchid show.
-
‘Psychedelic art palace’ Meow Wolf is coming to New York
The ultimate immersive exhibition, which combines art and theatre in its surreal shows, is opening a seventh outpost in The Seaport neighbourhood