The Double Up: Malik Roberts’ Highly Anticipated London Debut at D'Stassi Art
We are excited to announce the London debut of renowned Brooklyn-born artist Malik Roberts with The Double Up, an extraordinary solo exhibition at D'Stassi Art in Hoxton. Running from 13th September to 25th October 2024, this six-week showcase marks a pivotal moment in Roberts’ career as he brings his groundbreaking work to the UK. After a successful run in New York, Los Angeles, and a sell-out show in Athens, Roberts returns with a fresh perspective on his exploration of identity, power, and the act of concealment.
Exploring Identity and Concealment Through The Balaclava
With The Double Up, Roberts delves deep into the symbolic significance of the balaclava—a powerful and evocative accessory that has found its place in both subcultures and mainstream culture. For Roberts, the balaclava serves as a metaphorical canvas, representing both the protection and the obscuration of identity. Through bold, prismatic portraits, Roberts engages with the paradox of what his subjects choose to hide and what they wish to celebrate. The result is a striking reflection on the complexity of identity, personal facades, and how we present ourselves to the world.
Reflecting on the exhibition, Roberts explains, “In The Double Up, I wanted to explore the more complex layers of identity, representing the societal and personal facades that people wear, both to protect and to obscure. Through these portraits, I hope to challenge the viewer to look beyond the masks, to confront the complexities of identity, and to understand the nuanced ways we present ourselves in a world that often misinterprets and labels us.”
An Artistic Evolution and Personal Milestone
This exhibition represents more than just a collection of works—it is an evolution in Roberts’ artistic style. Moving away from the clean lines of his earlier works, Roberts introduces free-hand techniques and textured oil stick applications, adding a layer of depth to his visual storytelling. These new techniques elevate the narrative complexity of his portraits, drawing viewers into the layers beneath the surface, much like the complex identities the artist seeks to portray.
This exhibition is also a deeply personal milestone for Roberts, who notes the cultural connection he shares with London through his Caribbean immigrant family. "My connection with London stems from my Caribbean immigrant family—when my family came to America, I had some relatives that went to London instead. I feel like the story I bring will resonate with many people here. Taking my work to London allows me to connect dysphoric black communities across the world."
A Significant Moment for D'Stassi Art and Contemporary Voices
The Double Up is a significant milestone for D'Stassi Art, as we continue to bring compelling contemporary voices to London’s vibrant art scene. Roberts’ work—blending fine art and mixed-media techniques—examines identity, perception, and societal constructs, drawing from the Cubist tradition. His cinematic and prismatic compositions as
The Double Up: Malik Roberts’ Highly Anticipated London Debut at D'Stassi Art
We are excited to announce the London debut of renowned Brooklyn-born artist Malik Roberts with The Double Up, an extraordinary solo exhibition at D'Stassi Art in Hoxton. Running from 13th September to 25th October 2024, this six-week showcase marks a pivotal moment in Roberts’ career as he brings his groundbreaking work to the UK. After a successful run in New York, Los Angeles, and a sell-out show in Athens, Roberts returns with a fresh perspective on his exploration of identity, power, and the act of concealment.
Exploring Identity and Concealment Through The Balaclava
With The Double Up, Roberts delves deep into the symbolic significance of the balaclava—a powerful and evocative accessory that has found its place in both subcultures and mainstream culture. For Roberts, the balaclava serves as a metaphorical canvas, representing both the protection and the obscuration of identity. Through bold, prismatic portraits, Roberts engages with the paradox of what his subjects choose to hide and what they wish to celebrate. The result is a striking reflection on the complexity of identity, personal facades, and how we present ourselves to the world.
Reflecting on the exhibition, Roberts explains, “In The Double Up, I wanted to explore the more complex layers of identity, representing the societal and personal facades that people wear, both to protect and to obscure. Through these portraits, I hope to challenge the viewer to look beyond the masks, to confront the complexities of identity, and to understand the nuanced ways we present ourselves in a world that often misinterprets and labels us.”
An Artistic Evolution and Personal Milestone
This exhibition represents more than just a collection of works—it is an evolution in Roberts’ artistic style. Moving away from the clean lines of his earlier works, Roberts introduces free-hand techniques and textured oil stick applications, adding a layer of depth to his visual storytelling. These new techniques elevate the narrative complexity of his portraits, drawing viewers into the layers beneath the surface, much like the complex identities the artist seeks to portray.
This exhibition is also a deeply personal milestone for Roberts, who notes the cultural connection he shares with London through his Caribbean immigrant family. "My connection with London stems from my Caribbean immigrant family—when my family came to America, I had some relatives that went to London instead. I feel like the story I bring will resonate with many people here. Taking my work to London allows me to connect dysphoric black communities across the world."
A Significant Moment for D'Stassi Art and Contemporary Voices
The Double Up is a significant milestone for D'Stassi Art, as we continue to bring compelling contemporary voices to London’s vibrant art scene. Roberts’ work—blending fine art and mixed-media techniques—examines identity, perception, and societal constructs, drawing from the Cubist tradition. His cinematic and prismatic compositions as