Clarence Heyward

Clarence Heyward (American, b.1983) was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He is a painter and collagist whose work explores notions of the Black American experience.

His work investigates cultural truths, challenges stereotypes, and questions identity. Clarence believes it’s important to “paint his truth” and uses persons of color as subjects in his work as homage to his culture.

Beginning his journey as a full-time artist in 2019, he is best known for his dynamic and fresh take on figurative art. Heyward relocated to North Carolina to study Art Education at North Carolina Central University. He has shown his work nationally and has been featured in venues including the 21c Museum of Durham, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for Cultural Arts, the Block Gallery Raleigh, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, and the Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh.

Heyward was the recipient of The Brightwork Fellowship residency at Anchorlight, Raleigh in 2020; the Emerging Artist in Residence at Artspace, Raleigh in 2021; and was the 2022 Artist in Residence at NC State University. His work is in the collections of several notable private and public institutions. He currently lives and works in Raleigh, NC.

DEEP DIVE was printed at the renowned Landfall Press in an edition of 30 with Jack Lemon, who founded Landfall Press in Chicago over 50 years ago and relocated it to Santa Fe.