Beverly McIver
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Beverly McIver | |
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| Born | c. 1962 |
| Alma mater | Pennsylvania State University North Carolina Central University |
| Known for | Painting |
| Awards | Emerging Artist Grant Recipient, Durham Arts Council |
Beverly McIver (born c. 1962) is a contemporary artist, mostly known for her self-portraits, who was born and raised in Greensboro, NC.[1][2][3][4][5] She is currently the Esbenshade Professor of the Practice of Art, Art History and Visual Studies at Duke University.[6][7]
McIver was the youngest of three daughters and raised by a single mother who worked as a maid to support their family.[8] Her mother’s attention and resources were mostly focused on McIver’s older sister, Renee, who was mentally disabled.[9][10][11] Her autobiographical paintings are richly colorful and chronicles her life struggle with her African-American identity.[12]
While attending a predominantly white, affluent high school, McIver was a member of the school’s clowning club.[13] Performing in clown makeup and a wig empowered McIver: “As a clown…I was transformed, and in many ways more acceptable to society. No one cared that I was black or poor. I was embraced.”[14] Considering going to clown school for a brief period of time, McIver decided to pursue a career in art, earning her Master of Fine Art at Penn State University and an honorary doctorate from North Carolina Central University.[9] She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Painting and Drawing at North Carolina Central University in 1987.[15]
