Byron Utley (Artist)

2017 Gala

Byron Utley presents drawings, color prints and other works he has created since his appearance in the Pulitzer Prize winning play “Rent”.  Works in pen and ink include: Africa, Kat, Massai Warrior, Picaso, Offering, Roots, Lady Warrior, My Lady, Ibis, This Way, I Worship You and Harlem Renaissance. Acrylic on wood pieces include: Up from the Roots and Totem. Photographic works include: Richie Havens, Anthony Rapp, Self-Portrait, My Existence Matters and Dez. Other works include: Munir, Butterfly, Dancers and Uncle Mayfield.

BIO

An original Broadway cast member of the groundbreaking, Pulitizer Prize, Tony Award winning Broadway musical RENT for which he received  an Obie Award and a Gold & Platinum record Award.  Has worked extensively on Broadway and regional theater in the United States and abroad. He has been invited guest aritst in theater festivals in Italy, Germany, Hungary, and South America.  Featured in films “Night and the City”with Robert DeNiro, “The Interpreter” starring Nicole Kidman & Sean Penn, and in the films “Fair Game” and “Freedom” starring Cuba Gooding Jr.  Byron majored in advertising and design at the University of District of Columbia in Washington, DC. Life is his canvas. Byron enjoys working in different mediums including acrylic on wood, canvas, paper and ink and photography. His photography is used to document life and tell the stories of his life experiences of those around him and those who are briefly passing through. Photography helps him explore deeper the space that we share in our moment to moment existence. As an accomplished artist has exhibIted his paintings at the Harlem Renaissance Gallery in Soho, Westbeth Gallery (NYC) Wetherholt Gallery, Washington D.C. and in Harlem.