Titus Kaphar Presents Haunting Narrative of Black Motherhood in New Paintings
On view at Gagosian New York.
Titus Kaphar is an interdisciplinary artist who works across painting, sculpture, film and installation. Kaphar reanalyzes crucial events from American history by breaking down existing representations through his own formal methods. The artist is currently the subject of a solo presentation at Gagosian’s New York gallery. Titled “From A Tropical Space,” the artist is presenting new paintings that evoke a haunting narrative of Black motherhood and the heightened fear and distress that elevates from the disappearance of their children.
Viewers will notice the absence of each juvenile figure across his pieces whether seated in a stroller or cradled in a woman’s arms. There is also intense coloration of the atmospheres portrayed in the compositions which correlates with the enormous feelings of heartache and pain felt by his subjects in these unprecedented times.
One of the highlighted works on display is Kaphar’s Analogous Colors 2020 — the painting was featured on the cover of TIME Magazine’s June 15 issue which included a report on the protests that erupted following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. “Kaphar’s work and practice reflect on the experience and perception of historically underrepresented and marginalized groups, including the African American community,” said the gallery in a statement.
“From A Tropical Space” is on view at Gagosian New York until December 19. Check out select works in the slideshow above and then head to Gagosian’s website for more information.
In other exhibitions, Cathrin Hoffman is presenting new paintings and sculptures that question human existence in the post-digital age.
Gagosian
522 W 21st St.
New York, NY 10011
