’s practice includes painting, assemblage, and sculpture that addresses colonialism, spirituality, and biblical accounts, particularly Abrahamic narratives and their relevance within the histories of many diasporas around the world. Desir takes inspiration from stories and teachings from the Bible, but at the same time his works question canonical Christianity through gestures that undermine colonial power. His oil paintings on wood panel collage a visual world of symbols that reference both contemporary life and historical moments. These works feature allegories that allude to larger historical and political issues while also serving as spiritual recollections of memory and testimony. Emmanuel Louisnord Desir (b. 1997, Brooklyn) received a BFA from Cooper Union in 2019. He has shown his work in solo exhibitions at Sebastian Gladstone, Los Angeles (2024); 47 Canal, New York (2023, 2020); (Jupiter Contemporary, Miami (2022); and François Ghebaly, Los Angeles (2021). Group showings include those at The Rubelll Museum, Washington DC (2023): The Hammer Museum, Los Angeles (2023): Clearing, Beverly Hills and New York (2022); S; Morán Morán, Los Angeles (2022); 47 Canal, New York (2021); and At Peace Gallery, Brooklyn (2020).
