Rashaad Newsome's videos, performances, sculptures, and photographs investigate the notion of cultural signifiers as well as how they are formed and evolve. Using the equalizing force of sampling, he crafts compositions that frequently surprise in their associative potential and walk the tightrope between identity politics and abstraction. Newsome picks these structures apart and recombines them, eliciting emotional and visceral responses that can be universally recognized and felt.

Rashaad Newsome was born in New Orleans, Louisiana where he received a B.A. in Art History at Tulane University before studying Film at Film Video Arts in New York City. Newsome has exhibited nationally and internationally at institutions and galleries such as:  The Kitchen New York, NY; The Project Gallery New York, NY; Glassbox Gallery, Paris, France and The Veletrzni Palace, Prague, Czech Republic. Recent awards include: 2009 Smack Mellon Artist Studio Program, Brooklyn, NY; 2009 BAC Community Arts Regrant, Brooklyn, NY and 2009 Harvestworks Van Lier Grant, Harvestworks, New York, NY.