A landscape of community portraiture
This past Saturday was a terrific day and night for seeing art. A few days later and I can't get Henry Taylor's exhibition at Blum & Poe off my mind. What a force he is. I loved seeing the pristine spaces of the gallery completely transformed (the rooms even smell different). Had some lingering looks before the crowd and then went back for more glimpses and to revel in the joy of the show with everyone else. It was an event: full of much love and community--so many joyous faces.
The main room brings outside in: dirt, an encampment, a dead tree, a shopping cart being reclaimed by nature, graffiti. At the beginning of the night a prep had the fruitless task of trying to contain the spreading debris. The middle room features a Hockney-esque pool. The back room is as if he took up residence: process, inspiration, and mess all on display. Throughout are incredible portraits. While upstairs (taking a glimpse at the other herein unnamed show), I was delighted to glance out the window and catch the man of the hour as he arrived. I'll be back for another look.
(More images from the the show and other interesting works in Culver City and DTLA I saw that night are on my Facebook page. There was a lot to see and I enjoyed so much of it.)