VMFA ‘Giants’ Review: Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys’ Art Collection

If you’ve been around the art world long enough, chances are good you’ve encountered at least the aura of Kasseem Dean, aka Swizz Beatz, and his wife Alicia Keys. These two are often on the gala circuit, and at art shows, it’s not uncommon to hear that they were in the booth; in fact, he just missed them. I believe my closest encounter was when I was enjoying Agnes Denes’ beautiful meditation at The Shed in 2020, when I heard someone in a nearby hall playing “Empire State of Mind” on piano over and over again. When I asked who was being abused in the other room, the security guard explained to me that the noises were made by Keys himself, who was preparing for a private event.

The couple’s most tangible impact on the art world has been through their collection, part of which is now on display at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts as “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.” The exhibition (organized by the Brooklyn Museum and has toured the US, coming to La Jolla next) brings together about 130 works by artists such as Derrick Adams, Ernie Barnes, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kwame Brathwaite, Barkley L. Hendricks, Gordon Parks, Ebony G. Sparabala, Henry G. Pattern, Taylor Selfn, Tsmy G. Hank Willis Thomas, Mickalene Thomas, Kehinde Wiley, Kennedy Yanko and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. The coordinating curator at VMFA is Valerie Cassel Oliver, Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Collection shows aren’t meant to come together, and this is a mixtape where each song is strong, if not flowing into the next song. That’s right. Nothing else is the same Untitled, Miami, Florida (1970)Parks’ portrait of Muhammad Ali upon his return from his three-year exile for refusing the Vietnam War draft. Covered in sweat, Ali gasped in mock surprise, conflicting emotions no doubt believing many more were hidden. You can compare this Untitled (Model with natural hair in AJASS photos) (1970) by Brathwaite, the photographer who started the “Black is beautiful” movement, but the context in this case prevents the image. There’s so much to see by going deep into it: the ripples within the skin tones on the model’s arm and the way they play with the color changes in the background. The texture is crazy, with the afro very noticeable in both its color and its texture. It is foolish to point out that, above all else, the model is beautiful.

Pon de Rock (East View) (2007) you are a curious person. Hendricks is best known for his portraits, so this late-night marine impression shouldn’t be much to write home about. It is also, for some reason, included in the protractor. But step in, and you’ll find that the light in the teal sea moves in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever seen in a seascape. Combine this with the plants looking good despite being small and squishy, ​​and you probably have as much character here as a proper illustration. Clearly, this art world power couple is committed to creating a collection that is unique in every way.

“Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys“ is on view at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts through March 1, 2026.

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