LA VAUGHN BELLE
How to Imagine The Tropicalia as Monumental Series.
La Vaughn Belle embarks on a journey to reimagine the Caribbean landscape in the aftermath of catastrophic histories. Drawing inspiration from the relentless forces of hurricanes, seas, and lands, Belle transcends the notion of destruction to embrace the regenerative potential of these natural phenomena. Through salvaged materials from her storm-ravaged studio, Belle weaves together torn fragments to evoke the resilience and tenacity of Caribbean inhabitants. This series serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the region, inviting viewers to contemplate new geographies.
Swarm Series
Belle’s compelling series Swarm delves into the archives of the Danish West Indies. La Vaughn alters the photographs by making hundreds of cuts and burns. The amorphous interventions bend the time and space of staged images during the colonial era. Her marks disrupt the conventional narratives of social status and wealth represented through the imagery.
La Vaughn Belle challenges viewers to confront the complexities of history, nature, and memory. Through a rigorous interrogation of the past and a visionary exploration of alternative futures, Belle extends a compelling invitation to engage with the current dynamic and process of decolonization.
La Vaughn Belle received her BA and MA from Columbia University, New York, NY. She received her MFA from the Instituto Superior de Arte, Havana, Cuba. She has exhibited her work in museums and institutions such as the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; Museo del Barrio New York, NY; Casa de las Americas Havana, Cuba; the Museum of the African Diaspora San Francisco, CA; Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, Denmark; and more. Her art is in the collections of the National Photography Museum Copenhagen, Denmark; Vestsjælland Museum, Denmark; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Weltkulturen Museum, Frankfurt, Germany; the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Virginia Museum of Fine Art, Richmond, VA. She has received numerous grants and awards including the Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant, 2019, and the Danish Arts Council Project Distinction Award, 2023.