john isiah walton: off white

September 6 - 29, 2022

FIRST WEDNESDAY opening: sep 7, from 6 - 9pm

ARTICULATE ARTIST TALK: SUNDAY, sep 11, AT 4PM.

normal gallery hours: TUe - SUn, 12PM - 6PM

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John Isiah Walton depicts subjects that are often unconventional and, at times, shocking. His visual language is influenced by internet aesthetics, black identity, pop culture, and Louisiana history to deliver poignant social commentary reflecting the contemporary world. In the tradition of Basquiat, his work often has hidden meanings and symbols, which are revealed through his neo-expressionist markings. The frenetic, choppy brushwork endows the work with the energy and intensity that the artist is known for.

“This show is an exhibition featuring works from my ‘Back Painting’ series, started in 2017. Typically these works start with a solid black canvas & build up a surface of lines and various colors, but these selected works are dominated by the color white. Ideas of global warming, internet culture, and biblical references are some of the themes of the works while some address issues of identity including visibility and invisibility, presence and absence, figure and void. Expressionist influenced mark making from acrylic and oil stick depict scenes ranging from the mundane to the controversial.” - Walton

Walton uses wit and irony to address the constructs of race and class with both irreverence and sensitivity, merging politically correct discourse with politically incorrect humor. Like the Realist painters of 19th century France, Walton exchanges the idealistic for the real in his work, continuing the avant-garde's ethos of merging art and life. He is concerned with how contemporary life is socially, economically, politically, and culturally, which sometimes leads to portrayals of life's unpleasantries.

Learn more about John Isiah Walton.

This exhibition is presented alongside the latest works from Malaika Favorite, & Ross Jahnke. All works from these artists are on view, free of charge, during normal gallery hours (12 - 6 p.m., Tue - Sun) from September 6 - 19, 2022.