About the artist
From Harlem to the World at Large
Reginald Rousseau is a people-centered artist best known for allegorical portraiture that transforms individual presence into layered cultural narratives. Bridging fine art, architectural design, and cultural storytelling, his “Composite Aesthetics” style blend Haitian Naïve art, African textiles, Art Nouveau, Gothic stained glass, and urban visual culture into richly layered portrait series that deliver immediate visual impact while revealing deeper human and cultural meaning over time—positioning the works as a compelling focal point for private collections and contemporary spaces with lasting cultural, conceptual, and market value.
Artist-led initiatives
After several years of participating in group shows, in 2014, Rousseau founded Reginald Rousseau Art Studio, an independent studio dedicated to artistic production, experimentation, and community-oriented creative initiatives. This led to Reginald Rousseau: Harlem Art Projects (2015–2018), a curatorial platform activating nontraditional spaces throughout Harlem through pop-up exhibitions and open studios. From 2018 to 2023, he founded and operated The Underground Art Gallery + Studio, an artist-run exhibition space supporting emerging artists through exhibitions and workshops. He later launched Reginald Rousseau Art Shops (2019–2025), translating his visual language into accessible art-inspired merchandise. Since 2024, Rousseau has continued his public-facing practice through Arts In Odd Places, placing site-responsive artworks in everyday New York City environments. Looking ahead to 2026, he plans to expand his practice through institutional collaborations, curatorial work, panel participation, and publishing initiatives.
Public art and accolades
Reginald’s public art commissions include projects for JFK International Airport, Terminal 4, and the Nassau County Family & Matrimony Court Complex and other private projects. Accolades include: Nominee, for the 2025 Creative Climate Award, by Human Impact Institute and Semi-Finalist, 2023 Painted in New York juried competition by Park West Gallery, Soho. Artist residencies and fellowships include: Artist in Residence, Goddard Riverside’s Bernie Wohl Center (Fall 2024–Winter 2025); ARTWorks Resident Fellow, Jamaica Center for Art and Learning (2022–2023).
"My practice is a search for unity within complexity. By weaving diverse aesthetic influences into layered portraiture, I aim to reveal the interconnectedness of our identities and affirm the value of representation in contemporary culture. My hope is that my works invites viewers to see themselves—and each other—with greater depth, curiosity, and openness."
Reginald Rousseau