Artwork of an African-American man beaten to death by police on display

In the California desert, photos of steel bridges and beautiful sunsets hang on large billboards along a dusty highway. The author of these works: Dyer Nichols, a 29-year-old African-American amateur photographer, shocked America when he was assaulted by police officers in the southern United States in early January.

The panels have been on official display since Saturday as part of “Desert X,” an art fair known for its giant outdoor installations around Palm Springs, 150 km east of Los Angeles. These are often filled with political messages against the backdrop of the region’s impressive landscape of arid mountains.

“We all know Dyer through his tragic and brutal death at the hands of law enforcement in Memphis,” said festival artistic director Neville Wakefield. “We don’t know the insights he gave into his life through his art.”

Not by accident

Dyer Nichols, who grew up in California before moving to Tennessee, was a photographer of bridges, murals, neon lights and fiery sunsets. In his adopted city of Memphis, he explored the relationships between people and their environment.

For the organizers of the exhibition, the choice to install his photographs on the edge of a road was deliberate. Dyer Nichols, 29, was actually arrested on January 7 by agents of a special unit in Memphis, who charged him with violating the highway code. Beaten relentlessly, he became unrecognizable and died in hospital three days later, according to his mother.

Late deal

Dyer Nichols’ family, who only agreed days before the release, said they hoped it would shed light on a California bill that would limit police powers based on roadside checks. Dyer’s late inclusion of Nichols’ artwork in ‘Desert X’ aims to showcase him as an artist, show his work and make people react emotionally, said festival founder Susan Davies.

Founded six years ago, “Desert X” invites artists from around the world to visit the area around Palm Springs and create new works to be installed in the Coachella Valley. The works, on display for free from March 4 to May 7, are scattered throughout the valley, making the experience a “treasure hunt” of sorts, according to Susan Davis.

In addition to social justice issues, several projects this year address water scarcity, environmental degradation and the climate crisis.

(AFP)Show comments