Henry Taylor. FROM SUGAR TO SHIT
Virtual Exhibition Tour

Hauser & Wirth Paris
26 bis Rue François 1er, 75008 Paris, France

Hauser & Wirth's inaugural exhibition in Paris will debut new works by the critically acclaimed Los Angeles artist Henry Taylor. His major career survey arrives at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York on 4 October 2023 and will remain on view through January 2024. Taylor's exhibition in Paris, his first prominent show in France, will feature over 30 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, showcasing the remarkable breadth of his practice.

Throughout his four-decade-long career, Taylor has consistently embraced and rejected the tenets of traditional painting, refusing any formal label. His work combines figurative, landscape, and history painting with drawing, installation, and sculpture. Rooted in the communities closest to him, Taylor's personal work often incorporates historical or pop-culture references. The Paris exhibition, guided by a sense of human connection, presents a multifaceted narrative.

In preparation for this exhibition, Taylor extended his studio practice to Paris for a residency during June and July 2023. He drew inspiration from the city's historical art collections, notably at the Musée d’Orsay, surrounded by works of French impressionists, expressionists, and fauvists who have influenced him since his early years. Taylor's work reflects his awareness of art historical predecessors and contemporaries, with influences from artists like Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Phyllida Barlow, Philip Guston, Gerhard Richter, David Hammons, and Glenn Ligon.

Featured works in the exhibition include ‘Forest fever ain’t nothing like, “Jungle Fever”’ (2023), a composition akin to Edouard Manet’s ‘Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe,’ and a circular sculpture made from toilet paper rolls encased by wooden sticks, inspired by David Hammons’ ‘Untitled (Night Train)’ (1989).

Sculpture in Taylor’s Practice

Sculpture plays a significant role in Taylor's exhibition and practice. His process involves energetically assembling a variety of collected objects, from bottle caps to toilet paper rolls, creating a holistic record of his routine and materials. This intuitive 'hunting and gathering' process merges historic and contemporary references. The Paris show features assemblages using detergent and milk bottles, toilet paper rolls, furniture, and other objects. These works comment on enduring art historical tropes and reveal Taylor's encyclopaedic knowledge of history.

On view is also the monumental sculpture ‘One tree per family’ (2023), a towering 15ft tree trunk with large afro foliage.

Taylor’s Portrayal of Relationships

Taylor's work primarily explores relationships and their impact on our lives. While his paintings frequently feature people, he rejects the label of portraitist. His subjects, drawn from various walks of life and historical contexts, often include family members, like in ‘I got brothers ALL OVA the world but they forget we’re related’ (2023), a depiction of Taylor's brothers and friends.

About Henry Taylor

Henry Taylor lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. In 2022, his largest survey exhibition, ‘Henry Taylor: B Side,’ was shown at The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA, and is currently on view at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY until 28 January 2024. Taylor’s work is featured in prominent public collections worldwide and he was the recipient of The Robert De Niro, Sr. Prize in 2018.

Find out more: hauserwirth.com
From 14th October 2023 to 7th January 2024

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