Joseph Beckles (1951-2005)

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Joseph Beckles began his art studies at Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, in sculptural processes. He received his Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, in Fine Arts and education at Brooklyn College, New York. He moved to California in the mid 70’s, residing in Los Angeles until his death.

Over the past three decades Joseph Beckles has exhibited nationally and internationally in galleries and alternative exhibition facilities. California exhibits included Lawrence Asher Gallery, Luckman Gallery, Cecil Fergerson Gallery, Finegood Art Gallery, Watts Towers Art Gallery, Gallery 825, Brea Gallery, Desmond Gallery, M.Hanks Gallery, Beckstrand Gallery; African Marketplace and Cultural Fair. National exhibits included The Skylight Gallery, New York; Rush Arts Gallery, New York, NY, Corridor Gallery, New York; Lincoln University Gallery, Pennsylvania. International exhibits included works shown in Mexicali, Mexico; Musee Boribana, Senegal, Africa.

The creative process is unto itself the driving force behind Joseph Beckles work. Everyone is invited to see the lyrical line and movement in his three-dimensional forms as fluid brush strokes moving poetically over the surface of each creation.

Joseph Beckles lifelong body of work was influenced by his rich experiences from childhood through adulthood. He would speak of his rural childhood memories in Jamaica, remembering running barefooted over the land and making his own toys from found objects and nature’s bounty.

Beckles was also emotionally deeply moved by his African heritage. “It is the responsibility of the individual to recognize their blessings made possible from their ancestors. Once they recognize their blessings they should use them in a positive light” (Joseph Beckles 1980). A descendent of Africans, out of Ghana, Joseph Beckles said, “I felt like a loss soul returning home to my birthplace.” (Ghana visit 2003).

Living in urban cities since he was ten, his work integrated the traditions and tribulations of Americans of African descent living in the American black community. “I believe that the only thing I can take with me are the memories of life. Everything else that I create is something I have to offer humanity and my community.” (Joseph Beckles, 2003).

Beckles writes “…building a form is easier than releasing a form from inside the wood.” This desire began his twenty-five year love affair with wood. Beckles produced these artworks using the traditional European tools of chisel and hammer; the West African Adz. In 1995 Beckles turned to welded steel as a corresponding vehicle through which to express his ideas. A series of collaborative works followed and Joseph Beckles invited known Los Angeles artists such as Jane Castillo and Abel Alejandre to add their creative sensibilities to his metal-multimedia sculpture. This series of sculptural works (*Remembrance 2002) integrated painted surfaces and found materials such as rubber, wire and wood into each finished piece.” In 2004, Beckles final works were generated by forging molten steel into organic abstractions and forms of a personal nature.

Beckles public work commissions included major pieces at Compton Community College, California and View Park Middle/High Charter School, California. His sculpture and paintings are found in numerous private collections throughout California, New York, Florida; Africa and Trinidad. Collectors include Boubacar Kone’, Director of Musee ‘Boribana, Dakar, Senegal; Russell Simmons, CEO, Rush Communications; CCH Pounder, two-time Emmy Award nominee; Danny Simmons, Vice Chair and Co-Founder, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation; Dr. Sandra Cox, Phd., Executive Director of Coalition for Mental Health Professionals; Artis Lane, internationally renowned African American artist.

Joseph Beckles was recognized for being co-sponsor of an important artist collective taking place between Mexicali, Mexico and the United States He was also the Project Director for 136 prominent artists of African descent at the California African American Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California. Beckles was co-curator of the controversial exhibit Eye Speak at Los Angeles International Airport. It bridged prominent artists of Latin and/or African descent, such as John Otterbridge, Gilbert “Magu” Lujan, Margaret Garcia; Willie Middlebrook. His awards included a Brody Fellowship and Getty Fellowship. Beckles was known as an innovative teacher, lecturer and panelist in the Los Angeles community.