Discovering the Most Promising Emerging Artists and Designers
Forbes 30 Under 30 is an annual list of 600 young entrepreneurs and leaders under 30 years old recognised for their contributions in different industries worldwide. The categories vary every year, Consumer Technology andEducation, to Energy, Finance and Healthcare. The Art and Style category features emerging artists who are changing the art world with their innovative works. Among the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 Art and Design list are Devin Johnson, Hannah Traore, Kendall Bessent, Storm Ascher, and Eric Hart Jr, which are discussed in this article.
1. Devin B. Johnson
Devin B. Johnson is a painter who creates abstract landscapes that explore themes of memory, identity, and history. He obtained his BA in Fine Arts from the California State University of Channel Islands (2015) and received a Masters of Fine Arts at Pratt Institute (2019). In addition to being named a 2023 Artist-in-Residence for Fountainhead, Miami, he was selected as an Artsy Vanguard (2022), named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Art and Design (2022) list.
Portrait of Devin Johnson Photograph by Freddie L. Rankin II
2. Hannah Traore
Hannah Traore is the founder of the Traore Gallery, a contemporary art gallery based in New York City that focuses on emerging artists from Africa and its diaspora. She is also a curator, writer, and lecturer who has worked with institutions such as The Africa Center, The Studio Museum in Harlem, and The Museum of Modern Art.
Portrait of Hannah Traore | Photographs ByKendall Bessent
3. Kendall Bessent
Kendall Bessent is a photographer based in Atlanta who specializes in portrait, fashion and documentary photography who captures intimate portraits of Black people in various settings. He has worked with clients such as Nike, Adidas, Complex and Essence. He is also the co-founder of Black Boy Fly Collective, a platform that showcases black creatives and their stories. He also collaborates with other artists such as Hannah Traore and Devin Johnson.
4. Storm Ascher
Storm Ascher is a multimedia artist who uses video, sound, sculpture, and performance to create immersive installations that challenge viewers' perceptions of reality. Storm Ascher is also the founder of Superposition Gallery, an online platform that showcases digital art and NFTs by emerging artists from diverse backgrounds. She is also a digital artist herself who creates immersive experiences using VR, AR and AI technologies. She has exhibited her work internationally at venues such as MoMA PS1 and Tate Modern.
5. Eric Hart Jr
Eric Hart Jr is a photographer who creates stylized portraiture that explores shifting identities in Black culture. He is the creator of Love Hart, a lifestyle brand that celebrates black culture and identity through clothing, accessories and art. He is also a graphic designer who has collaborated with brands such as Reebok, Puma and Champion, and a two-time recipient of The Gordon Parks Foundation Scholarship Award.
