Shawn Baron Pinckney
Designer
At the foundation of artist Shawn Baron Pinckney’s practice is a reverence for both the transformative and symbolic power of clothing . Garments constructed by Pinckney are a metaphor for the ability to transcend culturally defined boundaries as fashion is employed as a formidable form of projection.
In his current work, Pinckney uses the familiarity of clothing as a means of lowering defenses in the viewer, creating space for the facilitation of difficult conversations about gender, race, and class.
His work juxtaposes symbolically loaded fabrics with traditionally gendered cuts, emphasizing how clothing can alter our perspective and challenge culturally imposed definitions of identity.
Currently residing in Delaware, Pinckney has participated in several exhibitions at The Delaware Contemporary. He had his first fashion show in 1992 where he received a review by critic Roy Campbell and was awarded the title of Best New Designer for the Eastern Regional Division by the National Association of Fashion and Accessories Designers (NAFAD).
Since then, his work has been published domestically and internationally including Tableaux Vivants by Tony Ward, Vigore Magazine, Mami Magazine, The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Delaware News Journal. Mr. Pinckney has been a guest lecturer at The University of Pennsylvania for The Art of Couture series.