Shadow of the Almighty

Art is not a luxury—it’s an essential element of our existence. It chronicles history, preserves knowledge, and enlightens minds, shaping our cultural heritage and making it accessible to all. Art has the power to document the human experience, capturing the nuances of time, emotion, and identity. My work serves as a bridge between generations, safeguarding narratives and perspectives that are often overlooked in traditional art forms. Through my creative practice, I seek to illuminate these stories, ensuring they are not lost but instead celebrated, questioned, and passed down.

At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to the unification of communities. Art is a catalyst for meaningful dialogue, allowing us to examine history, culture, and their enduring impact on society. Through visual storytelling, I aim to challenge preconceived notions, encourage introspection, and foster a collective vision for the future. My pieces often explore themes of resilience, migration, and transformation—both personal and collective—using layered textures and striking contrasts to evoke a sense of movement and change.

My artistic journey delves deeply into the interplay between the Black diaspora and urban environments, investigating how identity is shaped by space, displacement, and cultural memory. Influenced by artists like Kara Walker and Jean-Michel Basquiat, I also draw from the rhythms of music, architecture, and daily life. Deconstruction and reassembly play a crucial role in my process, mirroring the ways in which we reconstruct our personal and communal histories.

Based in Baltimore, a city rich with history and vibrant culture, I find endless inspiration in its people, architecture, and energy. My work captures the spirit of Baltimore—the resilience of its communities, the beauty in its struggle, and the narratives that weave through its streets. Through my art, I strive to create spaces for reflection, connection, and a deeper understanding of the shared human experience, ensuring these stories endure for generations to come.

ALPHA Massaquoi Jr. is a Baltimore based artist that works primarily with large drawings made with charcoal and pastels. Alpha was born in West Africa, Liberia, as the youngest of four to an upper-middle-class family; his father worked as a florist for the United States embassy in Liberia, and his mother was a Fashion designer with a small charcoal business. At age fourteen, Alpha and his family moved to the U.S. seeking the “American dream” However, life wasn’t easy, the 2008 recession just happened, and racism and colorism were new challenges Alpha and his family had to face. He studied painting, drawing, and printmaking At Towson University, where he fell in love with charcoal as his primary medium. Private collectors have collected Alpha works. They have been a part of major group shows in the United States, which include Novo Legado & Black Creatives at The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Alpha has also had two solo shows: Black Noise and Led by The Holy Spirit, which has made him a well-sought-out artist in Baltimore City. He founded Hot Sauce Artist Collective, supporting artists and bridging the gap between the everyday person and the arts. Alpha is currently an MFA candidate at Tufts SMFA.