Meet Kevin Gene Brown, Jr., and 2026 Senior Exhibition Project The Façade of Luxury
This is one in a series of online interviews with MIAD seniors, who share their thoughts about their 2026 Senior Exhibition project and their MIAD education.
Kevin Gene Brown, Jr., ’26 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice) is a Dean’s List student from Racine, Wis.
What is your “elevator pitch” for your senior exhibition project?
My senior exhibition introduces The Facade of Luxury: Urban Antiques, a collection of mixed-media works merging master leathercraft with expressive portraiture to reclaim stolen Black histories. Drawing from my experience at COACH and my role as a father to non-verbal children, the project critiques the “facade of luxury” while celebrating the enduring substance of the Black spirit. These hand-stitched heirlooms are designed to fill a historical void, transforming utilitarian tools into permanent objects of status and Legacy.
Kevin Brown, Jr., “Your Hy’Ness,” 2026.
Kevin Brown, Jr., “K’Allure,” 2026.
Kevin Brown, Jr., leather sculpture, 2026.
Kevin Brown, Jr.
Anything you’d like to share about yourself or MIAD?
MIAD was a life-altering experience where I transcended painting to master new trades and the art of storytelling. Through rigorous mental and spiritual growth, I found a purpose-driven work ethic that allows me to create for long hours in a day, fueled by the realization that I have found my true calling. I learned how to listen to God, and I leave this institution empowered by genuine connections and the belief that my consistency will spark a lasting, multi-generational impact far beyond my studio walls.
Read more about the 2026 Fine Art + New Studio Practice Senior Exhibition at the Charles Allis Art Museum, March 18 – April 19.
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