Bruce Davenport

The work of Lefitte deals with themes of personal memories and historical events in relation to his hometown, New Orleans. While studying, he participated in local marching bands, which inspired his artistic practice. After Hurricane Katrina dissolved these vibrant communities in 2005, he decided to symbolically resurrect them through his art. His colorful drawings capture the political and musical notion of assembly by documenting various festivities and their heroes. The artist includes miniature details such as the exact number of marchers, uniforms, and instruments in order to add layers of intimacy to the dynamics of the parade.

Bruce Davenport, also known as Dapper Bruce Lafitte (1972, USA) lives in New Orleans. He has had solo exhibitions at the John Hope Franklin Center in Durham, VACANT in Tokyo and James Gallery in New York. He received the Joan Mitchell Foundation Award 2010. Previously known as Bruce Davenport Jr., Lafitte describes himself as a “self- taught anthropologist” rather than an artist.