Artist Statement
Alz’s work dissects the absurdity, trauma, and beauty embedded in the spectacle of modern life. He paints using the language of cartoons and consumer media—bright colors, oversized expressions, surreal symbolism—to lure viewers into something darker underneath. Humor is the bait, but discomfort is often the hook. Through recurring characters and loaded scenarios, he unpacks cultural hierarchies, addiction to attention, male fragility, iconography, and the twisted relationship between suffering and entertainment. Nothing is too sacred to question—not even himself.
He sees the canvas as a psychological stage where emotional truths are exaggerated, repackaged, and made digestible—just like everything else in American culture. There’s a war going on between authenticity and performance, and Alz is painting from the front lines. His process is part vandalism, part confession: bold, intentional, and unafraid to piss someone off. If the work provokes, it’s doing its job. If it sticks with you after you laugh, even better. Alz isn’t here to soothe—he’s here to expose and entertain with precision.
Biography
Allan “Alz” Sousa is a Bermudian artist and curator whose journey started on a random stroll down Front Street in Hamilton. What began as a one-day experiment in 2015 became a relentless grind of scale, substance, and unapologetic expression. Self-taught and driven, Alz has since teamed up with brands, collectors, and creatives—building a reputation for art that refuses to be background noise.
Now splitting time between Bermuda and Boston, Alz runs Black Walls Gallery on Lansdowne Street. Under his direction, it's become a hotbed for contemporary art and thought. Whether through paint or curation, Alz shoots first—then makes you watch.
Selected clients and partners
Alz has teamed up with tuned-in galleries, select brands, and collectors who want art that doesn’t whisper. If you're planning a show or a brand piece that needs to stand out, let's cut through the clutter.
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