Meet the Designer: Beau Mccall
Beau McCall is an artist who transforms clothing buttons into wearable and visual art. Drawing inspiration from his family's vast button collection, McCall's creations adorn upcycled fabrics, materials, and objects, sparking curiosity and imagination. With a deliberate focus on the unique history of buttons, his work ignites discussions encompassing diverse topics, from pop culture to social justice.
McCall's artistic journey began in Harlem in the 1980s. Arriving from his native Philadelphia with only a duffel bag and a few buttons, he made his professional debut at The Harlem Institute of Fashion show during HARLEM WEEK in 1988. His wearable art garnered critical acclaim, propelling him into the spotlight. McCall became an integral part of HIF's Black Fashion Museum collective, showcasing his visually captivating work in museum exhibitions, prestigious events, and media outlets like Women's Wear Daily and George C. Wolfe's The Colored Museum.
Transitioning into visual art, McCall extended his artistic reach. His work has been showcased in institutions such as The Museum at FIT, African American Museum in Philadelphia, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. His creations have also found a home in the collections of esteemed institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Museum of Arts and Design. Notable personalities, including Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry of Blondie, and artist Jeffrey Gibson, have collected McCall's work.
Beyond his button-based art, McCall has ventured into the realm of wearable art with his Triple T-shirts (TTT) line. Utilizing upcycled T-shirts, McCall ingeniously combines three shirts into one flowing garment that can be styled in six unique ways. This innovative concept was born when McCall, faced with a wardrobe dilemma for a George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic concert, stitched together his favorite T-shirts. TTTs have garnered attention for their malleable silhouette and thoughtfully curated narratives, covering themes ranging from social consciousness to lighthearted expressions.
McCall's artistic achievements have gained recognition from prestigious publications such as The New York Times, NPR, and the Los Angeles Times. He has also made significant contributions as a teaching artist at institutions like the Newark Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, and the Harlem Arts Alliance. His commitment to cultural preservation is evident in his commissioned works for institutions such as the Museum of Arts and Design, Columbia University, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
In 2021, McCall released his debut artist's book, "REWIND: MEMORIES ON REPEAT," a moving tribute to ten of his deceased friends. Through collages comprising archival photos and images from his button artwork, the book encapsulates the vibrant LGBTQ+ rights movement, disco music, and the AIDS crisis of the late 1970s to mid-1980s.
Anticipation builds for McCall's first-ever retrospective, "Beau McCall: Buttons On!," scheduled to debut at Fuller Craft Museum in 2024. This exhibition will offer a comprehensive view of McCall's artistic evolution and his enduring impact on the cultural landscape.
Beau McCall's artistic endeavors have solidified his position as an influential figure in the realm of wearable and visual art. McCall's work resonates with audiences worldwide, from his captivating button creations to his transformative Triple T-shirts. By continually contributing to the universal cultural legacy, one button at a time, McCall invites us to appreciate the power of art and self-expression.