Colby Deal
Placing my art in the appropriate spaces within a community can increase self-appreciation, positive influence, and even generate revenue for small businesses. As we navigate the age of imagery and information, it's crucial to perpetuate practical narratives of culture and search for the most accurate representation. I strive to execute a communal repertoire and visual bond through my lens-based work while conducting interactive studies to observe the psychology of society based on imagery and placement.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Colby Deal is a photographic artist who obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography from The University of Houston. Deal's work in documentary photography has earned him a place in the Magnum Photo agency, joining the ranks of many renowned photographers. He is an alumnus of the Project Row Houses and Red Line Contemporary Art Center residencies and has been awarded an exhibition at the Houston Museum of African American Culture. Notably, Deal has been invited to the 2021 Whitney Biennial in New York City, published his first book with MACK Books, included in Vogue fashion photography 100 and installed a permanent exhibit at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
Through the medium of photography, I strive to preserve the cultural characteristics of under-sourced communities and people of color that are at risk of being erased. The act of preservation serves as a bridge from the past to the present, creating meaningful experiences that trigger memories and connections to heritage.
Exhibitions & Public Projects
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Current Exhibition (2023)
LRT Galley Presents
Colby Deal Repurpose
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Past Exhibition (2022)
Art Is Bond Presents
Colby Deal In Kind We Trust
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Past Exhibition (2022)
Gallery 90220 Presents
Colby Deal and Juan Fuentes Seed The Memories
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Past Exhibition (2020)
Bert Long Gallery Presents
Colby Deal Red Gen
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Active Public Project
Colby Deal and George Bush Intercontinental Airport Gallery At The Columns
Watch Colby Deal In Kind we trust
In July of 2022, Colby Deal was awarded the SACI Grant by Houston Arts Alliance which led to the creation of an exhibition titled "In Kind We Trust". This exhibition has been hosted at two different locations in Houston, Texas.
The first venue was a raw and beautiful space activated in East Downtown. This space provided a sense of independence for the collection. The second location is currently exhibiting at Art Is Bond , where there has been an emphasis on community engagement by hosting a book signing of Colby's most recent published book, "Beautiful Still".
During the making of this series, Colby attended community cookouts and interacted interpersonally with two different families, capturing everyday nuances of the Black community. Each image was then custom framed with wooden frames and adorned with fabric and other treatments to emulate the aesthetic of photographs found in the home.
The "In Kind We Trust" exhibition reflects the essence of humanity, celebrates the beauty of everyday life, and highlights the importance of self-representation and storytelling.
Beautiful Still
"Beautiful, Still." is the debut monograph from Colby Deal, a photographer who grew up in Houston's Third Ward. His project is an ongoing visual record of the everyday life, people, and objects in overlooked communities gradually being erased by gentrification. Deal's black-and-white photographs, often candid or blurred, depict the dynamism and vibrancy of family, community, and individual life. The scratches and dust on the negatives reflect the marks of lived life and the precarity of the social fabrics they depict. His playful and joyful approach subverts media portrayals, celebrating the agency and freedom of the photographic medium.
Articles
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Hyperallergic
The Offhand Beauty of Houston’s Third Ward
Hyperallergic
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British Journal
Colby Deal’s latest book promotes beauty, pride, and empowerment in Houston’s Third Ward
British Journal
