“The Original Black Western”

Featuring Artworks by Bernard Beckford
September 17 - 25, 2022
Opening Reception, September 17, 6-8pm 

Beckford has created 14 works in oil on wood panels that center Blacks in the western genre. The exhibition highlights fictional Black westerns and their stars in original works centering multigenerational Black cowboys and cowgirls. Companion cinema posters promote these original westerns.  

Beckford grew up watching westerns and seeing only Whites portrayed as cowboys and heroes. Though western cinema has largely ignored the presence of Black ranch hands, Beckford's research reveals that 1 in 4 ranch hands were Black.  Also, originally only White cowboys were called ranch hands, while Blacks were referred to pejoratively, as (no surprise) cowboys.

Beckford's style is a fusion of comic book, graffiti and street art. This "Original Black Western" collection is a first in a series of BernBeck Film cinema collections. Beckford stated recently, "some of the characters in the art, appear in more than one movie collection."  Just like in real life.

Opening reception is Saturday, September 17, 6-8 pm. No RSVP required. 

Heath Gallery
24 West 120th Street
New York, New York 10027
646.301.8172