Portrait of Melvin L. Nesbitt Jr.
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Melvin L. Nesbitt Jr.

Painting, Paper / Book / Illustration, Visual / Media

About the Artist

Artist Bio & Statement for PLATFORM Melvin Nesbitt Jr. Artist Bio Melvin Nesbitt Jr is a D.C.-based visual storyteller exploring the American experiences of Black youth. Born on June 19, 1973 in South Carolina, much of his childhood was spent in the Spartanburg housing project, “Tobe Hartwell,” an experience that has directly influenced his artistic practice today. Through painted paper collage, he portrays the joyful innocence of his younger years, as a child in the late 1970’s and early 1980s. While a poignant examination of race and poverty in contemporary society, his work’s inherent nostalgia resonates with people of all ages inspiring a deeper sense of community. Nesbitt’s work has gained acclaim with an extensive exhibition history at institutions including the Museum of Contemporary African Diaspora Art (MOCADA), an Art Bank grantee, and a recent fellow of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.  Melvin Nesbitt Jr. Is represented by Richard Beavers Gallery. Artist Statement Melvin Nesbitt Jr does not merely construct elegant collages, he builds community. An artistic practice rooted in collage, allows him to orchestrate cohesive scenes of his youth from seemingly disparate individual elements. Painted paper, recycled materials, paint, wire, and fabric all make their way to the wooden surfaces he constructs. Layer upon layer of lived experience challenges the perpetuated narratives of the Black American experience. His works are ones of joy. Bold saturated primary colors allude to the innocence of youth, like the pictures of the storybooks his impoverished community rarely possessed. His work emanates the fondness he still experiences for his community, entrancing all who gaze upon them with an aura of nostalgia, unity, and hope. Melvin Nesbitt Jr does not merely construct elegant collages, he builds community. An artistic practice rooted in collage, allows him to orchestrate cohesive scenes of his youth from seemingly disparate individual elements. Painted paper, recycled materials, charcoal, paint, and fabric all make their way to the canvases. Layer upon layer of lived experience challenges the perpetuated narratives of the Black American experience. His themes are ones of joy!   Bold saturated primary colors allude to the innocence of youth, like the pictures of the storybooks that excluded his community. His work emanates the fondness he still experiences for his community, entrancing all who gaze upon them with an aura of nostalgia, unity, and hope.  

Featured Work

Photos

64"x72" painted paper collage on canvas "On My Honor" (reflects my upbringing as a Southern Baptist, where the church played a pivotal role in fostering strong community and family bonds. For kids like me, church life was more than just worship; it provided a wealth of social activities that enriched our childhood experiences. At Foster’s Chapel Baptist in Roebuck, South Carolina, my father's family church, there were opportunities for sports, such as the church’s softball team, as well as Vacation Bible School every summer and occasional road trips. One of my favorite activities was being involved in the Scouts, which, at the time, was called "WEBELOS." However, since I lived far from my father’s church, I attended Boy Scouts at the nearest church to our apartment complex. The image I’ve created is based on a memory of Picture Day for our troop. Having recently joined, I was eager to participate, but my mother couldn’t afford to buy my uniform in time for the photos. Despite this, I attended the meeting that day because one of the first things a troop leader told me was, “Never miss a meeting. You will miss something important.” As I worked on this piece, I couldn’t help but reflect on a somber thought: how many children avoid extracurricular activities because they can’t afford the associated fees? This question lingers, reminding me of the barriers that can prevent kids from engaging in valuable experiences that foster growth, connection, and joy.
Much like the beloved ice cream truck that would roll through the neighborhood on hot summer days, the Bookmobile was a welcome and cherished sight in our public housing complex. Sponsored by the Spartanburg County Public Library, it was driven by a young man from our own community who brought the magic of stories right to our doorstep. With its bright colors and cheerful presence, the Bookmobile became a symbol of both learning and joy.Whenever the familiar van parked near the playground or at the community center, a crowd of children would quickly gather, drawn by the promise of new adventures waiting between the pages of books. The driver, with a warm smile, would often take a moment to read aloud from a freshly selected title, his voice bringing characters and worlds to life as we listened, wide-eyed and spellbound.We eagerly signed up for library cards and formed a steady rhythm of checking out and returning books, filling our hands with stories that transported us to faraway places and times. The Bookmobile wasn’t just a vehicle—it was a portal to another world, where each visit was an opportunity to discover something new.Its sides were adorned with vibrant murals, images of celebrated Black authors like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, alongside beloved children's classics from the late 1970s. These painted scenes served as a tribute to the rich literary heritage that shaped our community, reminding us that we too could be a part of the ongoing story of Black voices in literature. The Bookmobile, with its colorful design and the tales it brought, became an emblem of knowledge, creativity, and possibility in our lives.
60x72 Grandma Mary" is a heartfelt tribute to the remarkable women who shaped my upbringing, particularly my father's mother. Orphaned at a young age, she and her siblings were discovered by Frank Fant and his family, who took them in after finding them scavenging for food. Grandma Mary went on to marry and raise nine children, becoming a vibrant presence in our lives. She often babysat us, filling our time with laughter and joy thanks to her incredible sense of humor. Interestingly, her heritage included Sioux ancestry, a legacy evident in her long black hair. I can still picture her sitting with my sister or one of my cousins as they brushed her hair and scratched her scalp, a simple yet cherished ritual. In this piece, I decided to emphasize pattern as an essential element of the composition, reflecting the wood panel walls that were so popular in the 1970s and the floral house gowns that my grandmother often wore, both staples of her warm and inviting home.