Chire “VantaBlack” Regans: Say Their Names

The Bakehouse Art Complex presents “Say Their Names: A Public Art Memorial Project”, a large-scale mural by Miami-based artist Chire Regans, also known as VantaBlack. The work commemorates more than 250 lives lost to gun violence, police violence, hate crimes, gender violence and domestic violence, creating a public site for collective mourning and remembrance.

For the past four years, Regans has developed “The Memorial Portrait Project”, an ongoing series of hand-drawn monochrome portraits of individuals whose deaths are linked to systemic racism and social injustice. Most are Black South Floridians, remembered through stories shared by their families and communities. “Say Their Names” expands this practice into the public realm, with the artist and volunteers stencilling and painting each victim’s name directly onto the wall. Conceived as a gathering place, the mural invites reflection and honours lives often overlooked by traditional media.

Many of the names correspond to portraits Regans has created or is preparing to draw, forming a living public archive. Located on the west-facing wall of the Bakehouse campus, the mural remains accessible to visitors at all hours.