Photo: Kenny Karpov

Austen Brantley is a self-taught sculptor from Detroit, Michigan. He discovered his affinity for sculpting during his junior year at Berkley High School. There, Brantley was inspired and encouraged by his ceramics teacher, who saw Austen’s talent for molding beauty from the clay. After only two years, Brantley began receiving local and statewide recognition. Seeking to hone his craft, Austen has proudly worked as a full-time professional artist since 2014. His work has been presented across the country in numerous solo and group exhibitions including a group show on view through March 2026 at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American Art in Detroit. As Brantley continues to live and work in Detroit, he has dedicated his career to creating a legacy for future generations. An essential step toward this goal has been his public commissions, including his most recent bronze unveiling for the City of Detroit: a memorial commemorating Joe Louis and his contribution to sports outside the world of boxing (namely, golf). Austen has also proudly completed a larger-than-life installation for the new Freedom Monument Sculpture Park at the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. He is the recipient of multiple awards, including the prestigious Kresge Arts Fellowship in Detroit in 2023 and the Nceca emerging artist fellowship in the same year. Austen aims to provide young people with the opportunity to see themselves reflected in art while also subverting the stereotype of toxic Blackness. A powerful representation of resilience and strength, each artwork and exhibition hopes to reflect shared experience and encourages his onlookers to seek peace, honor, and excellence.

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