taylor barnes in conversation
with executive director peter doroshenko
Can you share a recent happy moment anecdote about making an art work?
Personally, I think whenever happy accidents happen, like, things that you can’t even expect, when you just like, leave the studio because you’re like, ‘I don’t even know what to do with this piece,’ and then you come back and then you just realize, it’s done. I find a lot of pleasure in those moments, because I think it just constantly reminds me, honestly, to come back to the studio, taking time. A masterpiece is not created in a day, so I think when it comes to happy moments, it’s really just realizing that time is really your friend when it comes to creating something. Thanks!
How does history and current events inform your work and why?
Having the privilege to live with awareness in the present, I always reflect on how my circumstances would have differed in the past. I believe history has the power to give us tangible evidence on emotion, position, and a general understanding of existence. So it not only informs my work, it’s the foundation of my process.
What ultimately do you want viewers to take away from your work?
Authenticity.
Do you think about next steps in the studio and the evolution of your work?
Absolutely. Sometimes completing a piece is a means to an end. There’s something to be found in it that lead you to the next idea.
Has this unscheduled and awkward time with quarantines and shut-ins been reflective and possibly productive?
I think any time we are able to pause calls for a moment to reflect. I realized how fortunate I am with my health and the people around me. This fueled me to push forward, trust in myself, and to continue to create.
taylor barnes, A Small Sacrifice, 2019. Courtesy of the Artist and Erin Cluley Gallery, Dallas.
taylor barnes, Residual, 2020. Courtesy of the Artist and Erin Cluley Gallery, Dallas.
taylor barnes, Stay Small, 2017. Courtesy of the Artist and Erin Cluley Gallery, Dallas.
taylor barnes, You’re Cute, For a Black Girl, 2019. Courtesy of the Artist and Erin Cluley Gallery, Dallas.
taylor barnes, Code Switch, 2017-19. Courtesy of the Artist and Erin Cluley Gallery, Dallas.
taylor barnes, NAH, 2019. Courtesy of the Artist and Erin Cluley Gallery, Dallas.
taylor barnes, Should I Tell Em?, 2020. Courtesy of the Artist and Erin Cluley Gallery, Dallas.
taylor barnes, We Tight, 2020. Courtesy of the Artist and Erin Cluley Gallery, Dallas.
about taylor barnes
taylor barnes lives and works in Austin, Texas, and has a MFA from the University of North Texas, Denton. barnes has exhibited in solo exhibitions at Erin Cluley Gallery, Dallas, Texas and has an upcoming solo exhibition in September 2020 at Big Medium, Austin, Texas. barnes was honored with the Sylvia Houlgand Emerging Artist Award for Make Art with Purpose, 2020. barnes is currently working on an installation that will be displayed inside an industrial-caged trailer. This sculpture will be exhibited later this year at Cage Match Project, Austin, and then on view outside of the Museum of Human Achievement, Austin.