On the heals of numerous paintings by Purvis Young in various booths at the 2019 Outsider Art Fair this past January, two New York City galleries will present a solo show featuring the artist.
The concurrent exhibitions by Salon 94 Freemans and James Fuentes Gallery, include works in various media ~ assemblage, painting, drawing, and paintings on found objects made between 1983 and 1991.
Young, a self-taught artist who grew up in the Miami historic neighborhood of Overtown, often references his experiences living in the inner-city. His work often depicts his impoverished surroundings and would often include trucks, horses, warriors, slaves, boat people, prisoners and pregnant women. He originated the large-scale outdoor project known as Goodbread Alley, an area in his Overtown neighborhood, This project consisted of hundreds of pictures painted on pieces of wood and nailed to the side of boarded up buildings along Fourteenth Street ~ which was locally known as Goodbread Alley. The mural has since been torn down.
As a side note, the Harlem restauranteur, Marcus Samuelsson opened a restaurant in a former pool hall in Overtown ~ hiring locals and featuring their artwork on the walls.
Purvis Young will be on view at Salon 94 Freemans and James Fuentes Gallery through March 23, 2019. Salon 94 Freemans is located at 1 Freeman Alley. James Fuentes Gallery is located just three blocks away at 55 Delancey Street, Lower East Side, NYC.
A major exhibition featuring over 100 paintings by Purvis Young will be on view at The Rubell Family Collection in Miami through June 29, 2019 ~ The exhibition Purvis Young and His Angels is on view at Orlando Museum of Art through May 12, 2019, and a special exhibition of his work entitled Personal Structures will be held during the Venice Biennale from May 11 to November 29, 2019 at the European Cultural Centre, Palazzo Mora.