Meet Steven Finley of Manhattan and Brooklyn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Finley.

Hi Steven, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am Steven Mark Finley Jr, a painter & disc jockey known as Stevo Blaque.

Born & raised in Birmingham, Alabama— I built a strong community of multi-disciplinary artists and event promoters with Melo Events group. With a deep desire for the dance floors of Detroit, Chicago, & New York City I began curating parties home in Alabama, before relocating to New York City.

I earned my Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of Montevallo & there too shared my love of music & community with other queerfolk like myself.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With everything in life there are always challenges right? Fortunately, the journey & the process has been deeply rewarding. Navigating nightlife & the ecosystem of entertainment comes with a deep discernment & intentionality. Being confident with rejection as redirection & trusting yourself, is extremely necessary. When imposter syndrome & insecurity find their way in, your faith has to be stronger than your doubt. Im so grateful to have come this far and share my love of dance & art with those willing to bask in its glory.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a Painter from the deep South, my work expounds upon my queer, black male experience. Studying the dehumanization of Black America via minstrel illustrations like Sambo & Mammy. I reimage these tropes with consciousness of their disregard. First created by white illustrators with ill intent, I appropriate them with awareness for the intention and harm they were meant to cause. Whilst also tackling my own inner turmoil as a queer man who faced homophobia from an early age.

Often painting to the soundtracks of Frankie Knuckles that is where the bridge between my painting & selecting collide. Disco & House music serves as an escape for Black & Latino queerfolk during the late 70s, early 80s & that deep connection to identity, liberation, & community has led me to where I am today..

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters to me most is being & sharing light. The world has become very dark & garners an air of hopelessness. Sharing light where I can fuels me in ways that are hard to explain. I love allowing people to be seen in their fullness & authenticity. Everyone has a unique genius that is theirs and theirs alone, & if I have the ability to showcase that prowess, & individuality whilst collectively amplifying ideas of unity, safety, & freedom, by all means that is what I’ll do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Stevoblaque @stevenmarkstudio
• soundcloud: Stevo Blaque