john alleyne

John Alleyne was born on the island of Barbados. At age sixteen, he migrated to Brooklyn, N.Y., and became influenced by Hip-Hop culture, specifically Street and Graffiti art, & looks to hairstyle-guide posters commonly found in Black barbershops and salons. His intention is to challenge representations of Blackness, notions of masculinity, and spaces of healing by presenting allegorical narratives through the use of spray paint, and silkscreen-collage.

In 2014, Alleyne received his Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Studio art, with concentrations in Graphic and Digital design from SUNY Potsdam. Quickly after graduating, he was hired as a membership assistant by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, to assist with the new Henri Matisse Exhibition. As a result, Alleyne became fascinated with Matisse’s process and his "Cut-Outs," and the act of “cutting out” would later become a significant part of his art practice. In 2015, Alleyne moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to pursue his Master’s of Fine Arts degree in Studio art at Louisiana State University. In 2018, he graduated with concentrations in painting, drawing, and printmaking. Since his graduation, he has been Artist-in-Residence at the Ox-Bow in Saugatuck, Michigan, and ACRE in Steuben, WI.

Alleyne was an artist-in-residence at Anderson Ranch Art Center in the fall of 2021. He has exhibited work throughout various museums in Louisiana, such as the Masur Museum in Monroe, LSU Museum in Baton Rouge, and most recently, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans. He has also exhibited in New York, Los Angeles, and Ireland. His work is featured in Issue #23 of The Hand Magazine, in addition to volumes of Studio Visit Magazine, and New American Paintings (South Issue). Alleyne currently lives and works between Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Brooklyn, NY.