Artist Talk: Barkley L. Hendricks

Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Society of Contemporary Art
Painter and photographer Barkley L. Hendricks offered a lecture about his work from the 1960s through to the present. Exploring issues of race, gender, and identity through bold, life-sized portraits, primarily of African Americans, Hendricks elevates images of his neighbors, family, friends, and acquaintances into an empowered iconic status by emphasizing their unique style, attitude, and individuality. His early portraits are often associated with cultural upheaval in the 60s and 70s, but Hendricks explains, “My paintings were about people that were part of my life. If they were political, it’s because they were a reflection of the culture we were drowning in.” His cool, empowering, and sometimes confrontational representations are painted with an uncanny acuity and sophisticated technical skill. Hendricks’s works are often credited as important precursors to identity-based work by a younger generation of artists.
Sponsored by Sotheby’s

[@antunesiaharris32]

Wishing The Brother Barkley L. Hendricks A Righteous Transition.

[@RAEchelRunning]

I am sooo inspired by your work - the dignity, the humanity, the style , your colors, the wonderful portraits! I am grateful and my own creative fire sparked! I love the tapestry of humanity of each individual's shine!! THANK YOU!!!

[@danielartist123]

Such a great artist!

[@mrfunky1768]

Amazing artist and love his documentation of the black experience in style and casual matter of fact political perspectives........bbut he was not the best public speaker LOL!!!

[@aaronj7081]

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