Johnie Ray Taylor, Start
2013
Acrylic on canvas
243.8 x 190.5 x 6.4 cm (96 x 75 x 2 1/2 in.)
Henry Taylor's paintings are spaces of memory as well as dreams. They are usually based on his life and "what he sees around him", but their free, expressive style detaches us from reality.
The artist shares his highly personal view of the world and the events that take place around him. Johnie Ray Taylor, Start shows a relay racer starting to run and merging with the upside-down image of a woman. It is built on the contrast between black and white, the transparency of the two individuals and these two words: HE GO E. The appearance and disappearance of a letter raises questions about its meaning and strengthens the painting’s dreamlike narrative. In addition to its mysterious aspect, the painting reminds us that sport is one of the only avenues available to Black Americans to achieve high social status.
Johnie Ray Taylor, Start was first exhibited in 2018 during the "Debout !” ("Stand Up!") show at the Couvent des Jacobins in Rennes.
The artist shares his highly personal view of the world and the events that take place around him. Johnie Ray Taylor, Start shows a relay racer starting to run and merging with the upside-down image of a woman. It is built on the contrast between black and white, the transparency of the two individuals and these two words: HE GO E. The appearance and disappearance of a letter raises questions about its meaning and strengthens the painting’s dreamlike narrative. In addition to its mysterious aspect, the painting reminds us that sport is one of the only avenues available to Black Americans to achieve high social status.
Johnie Ray Taylor, Start was first exhibited in 2018 during the "Debout !” ("Stand Up!") show at the Couvent des Jacobins in Rennes.
Exhibitions
Photo: Sam Kahn
Courtesy of the artist and Blum & Poe, Los Angeles/New York/Tokyo.
