Get to know Des Moines artist Robert Moore, who is finally earning recognition in Iowa
The work of Des Moines-based multidisciplinary artist Robert Moore is hung on the walls of celebrity homes, has graced galleries and will soon rest in museum exhibits.
Up until 2023, the 39-year-old artist, also known in the art world as "B.Moore.," felt ignored with a lack of public recognition in his hometown. Moore overcame addictions to cocaine and alcohol in the late 2010s by using paint and canvas as a therapeutic means to heal from inner conflicts and the complexities earned from an unwanted life.
Later, the former suburban father of three, who calls being a dad his "No. 1 job," left behind a marriage to his children's mother and a corporate job in consulting through TEKsystems as a program manager for Transamerica. He also changed his appearance and said, at the time, "(I'm) going to stop cutting my hair. I’m going to stop trying to conform with my talk, my persona.”
He started painting casually in 2017 and collectors include "CBS Mornings" anchor Gayle King, "Yacht Club" rapper Lil Yachty, Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson and "All American" star Taye Diggs, who attended the opening gallery reception for his first solo show, "Out the Mud: A Black American Rite of Passage," which premiered and sold out in March at Thinkspace Projects in Los Angeles.
More: In his art, Robert Moore reimagines the world as he dreamed of seeing it, growing up
Now, he is one of the most noted artists in recent history to bring mainstream attention to Iowa since Grant Wood, a regionalist who painted "American Gothic," which is widely recognized as one of the most famous paintings in American history with its depiction of a farmer in overalls holding a hayfork next to his daughter in front of a white home in rural Eldon. Moore is a modern-day Wood with an L.A. Dodgers cap and gold chain.
This summer, Moore will bring his work, which analyzes personal identity and Black culture, to Moberg Gallery in Des Moines and a debut solo museum show next May through August as part of the Des Moines Art Center's ongoing Iowa artists series.
"I think you can make comparisons with the two in that they are both struggling with the contradictions within themselves and the culture they were in," University of Iowa professor of American Art History Joni Kinsey said while noting key differences and parallels between Wood and Moore.
More: Des Moines native Robert Moore's world-renowned art to be featured in hometown this summer
How Moore got it 'out the mud'
As Moore's work has gained heavy traction beyond the state in cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, his name recognition has grown in nationwide collector communities and industry networks.
“What does it mean to come of age in America being Black, especially (for) Black men?” Moore said of a main question he wanted to ask and answer in “Out the Mud."
For reference, in Black culture, getting it "out the mud" means starting from the bottom to arrive at financial, mental and physical stability. The term is the title of three hit rap songs from Kevin Gates, Roddy Ricch and a collaboration between Atlanta rappers Lil Baby and Future. For Moore, it has a deeper alternative meaning.
"Almost in a sense being buried before you're born and having to find your way out of dirt," he said of thematic elements that are featured in his solo show.
Moberg Gallery will host two events in June to showcase 'Out the Mud'
Central Iowans can get a glimpse of Moore's works when the Moberg Gallery in Des Moines hosts a Moore solo show, "Field of Dreams: Out the Mud (Redux)." The monthlong show, which features one-of-a-kind, hand-embellished print reproductions of works in "Out the Mud," will open on June 16 with a free public reception at 2411 Grand Ave. from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibition closes on July 15.
Moberg Art Services, which includes the company's framing side, has a longstanding relationship with Moore.
Moberg Gallery is also slated to host "The Lot Party," a parking lot party from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 24 at its grounds across from Terrace Hill. The event will include a DJ, food trucks and spoken-word performances featuring locally based hip-hop artist Billy "B.Well" Weathers.
Moore is set to open a downtown studio, space for BIPOC creatives
Moore has plans to help BIPOC creatives by opening his own commercial studio space in downtown Des Moines. He also owns a solo studio in the garage of his metro-area home.
He said the space will engage the community and work to "enhance my own creative practice and socialize these frequencies throughout other creatives and ecosystems."
Moore, who started painting professionally in 2020, is passionate about bringing widespread attention to the city's growing BIPOC creative community. The industrial space sits less than a block away from the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
"I have big plans with the space and creating space to allow the public to flow through the space and experience art through a different lens," he said.
How to find Robert Moore
Upcoming shows:
London: Chilli Arts Projects, June 2023 — group show
Shanghai: Dappha Gallery, July 2023 — group show
Kansas City: HAW Contemporary, July 2023 — group show
Des Moines: Moberg Gallery, June 16 and 24, 2023 — solo retrospective
Amsterdam, Netherlands: LAX x AMS: Thinkspace x STRAAT, June 17 to July 30 — group show
Website: bybmoore.com; Instagram: @bybmoore; Facebook: B. moore
Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram or reach out at jstahl@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Painter Robert Moore has become one of Iowa's most-known artists
