Buttons of Inspiration: The Art Journey of Beau McCall

Summary

In a world brimming with artistry, one individual stands out, threading his narrative through a kaleidoscope of buttons. Enter Beau McCall, a visionary artist and designer whose journey began with a simple jar of buttons in his childhood home. With a sparkle in his eye, Beau recalls the Maxwell House jar that held a universe of possibilities. It was here, amidst the clinking treasures, that he first engaged in a conversation with the tiny discs, forging a lifelong bond that would propel him into the art world. At the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, Massachusetts, a retrospective of McCall’s nearly 40-year career unveils a dazzling tapestry of creativity. Alongside the whimsical transformations of buttons into vests, stunning dresses, and even a bathtub, one cannot help but feel the heartbeat of his craft. “Homegrown” is how Beau describes his skills, honed in the warmth of his public housing upbringing, school programs, and from the loving hands of his mother. Growing up in Philadelphia amid a whirlwind of thrift-store finders, Beau was immersed in what he now terms a sustainable approach to fashion, long before it became a buzzword. Each button, each piece of clothing tells a story—a dialogue. For him, these buttons become a rich language, imparting wisdom and experience as they fasten together the chapters of his life. A transformative trip to Johannesburg ignited a spark in McCall, expanding his horizons in the realm of creativity. Awed by the young creators buzzing in South Africa’s artistic landscape, he returned home imbued with inspiration, churning out pieces like “Motherland I,” which echoes the vibrant cultures he encountered on his travels. His creations often glitter with a captivating allure; take for instance a 20-pound do-rag, which evokes the cascade of a glistening waterfall—an ostentatious garment fit for a red-carpet affair. Each button upon it carries a significance; from Afro picks to silhouettes of black hairstyles, Beau crafts a narrative of identity that resonates with pride and empowerment. These creations provide him a personal canvas, as he not only designs but wears his art, interlacing these declarations of self with the spirit of his community. Indeed, during a time when the LGBTQ community faced heartbreaking loss amid the AIDS crisis, McCall flourished, creating disco-inspired ensembles and capturing candid moments of friendship among his peers. “It’s a love story between Beau and the button,” remarks Beth McLaughlin, artistic director and chief curator of the Fuller Craft Museum. The humble button, once dismissed, is transformed in Beau’s hands into a testament of craftsmanship, an emblem of the every day elevated to the extraordinary. In the echo of these shapes, sensory memories swirl—a smell of mildew hints at years of storied history as they emerge from dusty basements and forgotten jars, each one adding to the tapestry of his work. Through the art of buttons, McCall invites us all on a journey—a celebration of community, an conversation between past and present, each piece heralding bravery, love, and the daring spirit to create. For GBH News, I am Jared Bowen, delighting in the treasure of creativity in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Original Source: www.pbs.org