MFTA Gallery: “Soaring High” by Daveed Baptiste

Born in Port au Prince, Haiti, Baptiste immigrated to Miami, Florida at a young age alongside his two siblings. Immersed in a heavily Haitian community in Miami, Baptiste found a home away from home while navigating his cultural identity, Blackness, and queerness in this new landscape.

A self-described interdisciplinary artist, Baptiste’s creative practice has evolved with time; photography, drawing, designing, and sewing are all a part of his artistry. For his solo exhibition, Baptiste has explored an entirely new method of designing: laser-etching and distressing on denim material. Thanks to MFTA’s partnership with long-time material donor Blueprint Denim (BPD) Washhouse, Baptiste was able to utilize the full-service commercial denim wet and dry process facility —the only one of its kind on the east coast— to create his laser-etched designs. Primarily interested in portraying hair through these designs, Daveed’s denim-based artwork amplifies their cultural significance in the Black community. Bantu knots, taper fades, intricate cornrows — each style acts as a signifier, individually indicating their own relation to the intersection of class, status, and culture through this impressive textile tapestry.

This solo exhibition explores the metamorphosis of a Haitian immigrant, chronicling his journey through the stages of life within urban Black American society. Each look represents a chapter in his story — capturing the desires, aspirations, and dreams that shaped his path from adolescence to adulthood.

Baptiste’s “Soaring High” is on view in the Materials for the Arts gallery through August 1, 2025. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm, barring holidays. Admission is free and open to the public.