A Painter's Painter: Richard Lewis
Mario Moore
video provided by Kresge Artist Fellowships
Richard Lewis produces some of the most prolific paintings today, yet he is still an obscure artist outside of Detroit. How does this happen?
This brother is crazy dope. Lewis shows us an artist who has total freedom through the material of paint. The interwoven layers of color and texture deliver powerful abstract moments up close. He should be known and seen everywhere, a museum show is well overdue.
Lewis' paintings allow viewers to peer into the intimate space of daily life. We get to see cousins, sisters, friends, musicians and many others who are simply living. It is a stark contrast to the stereotypes shown by the media, of what they assume is going on in these private spaces of Black life. In his work he provides a place for Black figures to exist, without the world placing racial implications upon them. This was Richard's revolution to the art world as he went through the Studio Museum in Harlem's artist-in-residence program in 1995.
Mingus, 2004, Oil on canvas
James and Kelly, 1996, Oil on canvas
Detail of a self portrait piece
So how can someone who is undoubtedly a great contemporary painter not be recognized nationally as such? Maybe because figuration is just now coming back into the limelight? I’m not really sure but it is definitely his time to show everyone what a devotion to painting looks like.
Tracey, 2011, Oil on canvas
I mean come on, this dude was at the Studio Museum In Harlem with Chakaia Booker and Michael Richards. Just look at the paint for yourself and tell me you don't want to see this stuff up close.
To learn more about Richard and his work click on the link below:
Peace until next time,
Mario