Artist statement | bio
Melvin T. Halsey Jr. | LANGSTN
b. 1992, Bury St. Edmunds, England
As an artist, my work exists to spread a message of power, perseverance, and pride. I take the viewer along with me on a journey through my heritage while navigating today’s modern social landscape.
Cultural touchstones from West Africa embrace our nation and the global fight for activism without fear. A significant component of that message is in support of love and beauty.
Representing the African American community is essential for my works. Social commentary and the tumultuous times shaping our lives shine through my work, which I embrace. I also include my own experience and artist influences from the cyberpunk, street fashion, and anime genres.
That collision results in an attuned and precise message, which reflects my personality.
My formal exhibiting career started in May of 2018, where my work was first presented at galleries. Prior to that, my artwork was reserved for social media. That primed me for channeling my creativity into pieces that would emotively and empathetically engage with modern viewers in a general setting.
Bringing that energy into the fine art realm gives me the opportunity to leverage that engagement, shaping it to a more refined and authoritative audience.
As I continue to find my place as an artist within our existing paradigm, I am biased towards minority outreach in society, with a pension toward supporting other young artists— giving a voice to the unheard.
For business inquires you can get in touch with me at langstn@langstnart.com.
Work & Exhibitions (includes a combined list of solo, two-person, and group exhibitions)
2018 Ancient Roots Exhibit - Art Opening mergeCulture Gallery, Tampa, FL
2019 Collective Arts Series 13 Release and Art Exhibit mergeCulture Gallery, Tampa, FL
2019 Mint Condition mergeCulture Gallery, Tampa, FL
2020 Black Lives Matter Mural Artup + Illsol + New Roots Art Collective, Tampa, FL
2020 CL Best of the Bay 2020 - Best Visual Artist Creative Loafing, Tampa, FL
2020 Hindsight 2020 (Virtual Exhibition) Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland, FL
2020 Cross-Culture Art Exhibit mergeCulture Gallery, Tampa, FL
2020 Cultural Currency Mural Tempus Projects + Illsol + New Roots Art Collective, Tampa, FL
2021 Copeland Park Basketball Court Mural, New Roots Art Collective, Tampa, FL
2021Root’d Gallery 221 @ HCC (Hillsborough Community College), Tampa, FL
Most illustrative work I create is influenced by African fashion, traditional African masks made from a number of different tribes, and the beauty of animals and nature around us. I always strive to include both hidden messages and tributes to my family history in every work.
I alternate between traditional and digital mediums and most illustrations feature a combination of the two.
FOR COMMISSION INQUIRIES PLEASE CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW.