Artist Michael Bernard Stevenson Jr.

My formal title: Artist Michael Bernard Stevenson Jr. refers to many things. The use of my full name in professional matters is a formal nod to the man who gave me my name, Michael Bernard Stevenson Sr. Constantly insistent on putting Artist in front of my name is a nod towards the one thing I’ve contributed to my identity beyond being my father's son.

I am a queer, non-bianary, person of Italian and African decent through slavery. 

In my work I’m concerned with matters of agency, service, ritual, relationships, love, and a gaze towards the future. These ideas, and others, manifest themselves in my work with young people, currently and formerly incarcerated individuals, food and gathering around it, and other less well canonized aspects of my practice.

I am trying to make a living as an artist, and at times, I experience waves of success. However when audited, my fiscal splendor as an artist and creative has yet to gently impinge on the debts that I owe for being trained in the ways of the American Artist. The paradox of which, has become a part of my practice as well.

While my work is primarily centering community and cultural investment and rarely centering capitalist values, I am always interested in my ideas and labor being compensated.

If you're interested in working with the Artist, please reach out.

Phone: 301 641 8004

Email: michaelstevenson87@gmail.com

The Formal Stuff:

Artist Michael Bernard Stevenson Jr. received their BFA from Alfred University School of Art and Design and is currently studying to receive their MFA in Art and Social Practice from Portland State University. After receiving their first degree Stevenson remained in the community receiving an unofficial education from restaurant owners, shopkeepers, and organic farmers which impacted their work as an artist. Stevenson has produced a variety of socially engaged collaborative and interdisciplinary projects since 2009. After moving to Portland Stevenson has exhibited work at KSMoCA, the Tiny Gallery, in Show Motel Florida, The Cohen Gallery with Public Annex, at Columbia River Correctional Institution, and at PICA.