Bahsir

Early Life and Education

• Born: April 16, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Family Background: Grew up in a family that valued art and education. His parents migrated from Halifax County, Virginia to Philadelphia.
• Education: Attended Simon Gratz High School, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), and Yale University where he earned both a Bachelor's and Master’s degree. Studied with notable artists like Bernard Chaet, Lester Johnson, Gabor Peterdi, Robert Reed, and Walker Evans.

Artistic Development and Influences

• European Influence: Early career was significantly influenced by travels to Europe, particularly the portrait styles of artists such as van Dyck and Velázquez.
• Addressing Representation: Troubled by the absence of Black people in Western art history, he dedicated his work to correcting this imbalance.
• Style Characteristics: Paintings are characterized by life-sized, realistic depictions of Black Americans against monochromatic backdrops. A unique blend of American realism and postmodernism.
• Key Influences: The Black Power movement influenced his desire to portray Black Americans with pride and dignity.

Notable Works and Exhibitions

• Significant Paintings: Notable works include Lawdy Mama (portrait of his second cousin) and What’s Going On (inspired by Marvin Gaye's single).
• Exhibition Highlights: His work has been exhibited at prestigious venues including the Frick Collection in Manhattan (first African American artist to have a solo exhibit), the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, and the Chrysler Museum of Art.
• Self-Portraits: Created notable self-portraits like Brilliantly Endowed (Self portrait) and Slick in response to critical reviews.

Legacy and Historical Significance

• Contribution to Black Portraiture: Made significant contributions to Black portraiture and conceptualism, challenging traditional Western art representations.
• Black Arts Movement Figure: A key figure in the Black Arts Movement, advocating for greater representation of Black artists and culture.
• Recognition and Awards: His work has been widely recognized for its unique style and powerful message.
• Availability: Paintings are available for viewing and purchase on ArtsDot.com.

Further Information

• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barkley_L._Hendricks
• ArtsDot Profile: /en/artists/barkley-leonnard-hendricks/