African-American painter Reggie Burrows Hodges (b. 1965, Compton, California) pursues a strong visual narrative in his works, which explore questions of identity, community and memory. Published on the occasion of his solo exhibition at MICAS, this publication features recent paintings which illustrate Hodges' singular technique of employing a black ground across his canvases and then developing the scene around his figures with painterly, loose brushwork. A technique which deliberately plays with perceptions by reducing the focus on the human figure, which is essentially formed by the negative space within the composition; a practice which accentuates the environment where the figures are situated rather than the figures themselves. As he notes, "I start with a black ground [as a way] of dealing with blackness' totality. I'm painting an environment in which the figures emerge from negative space… if you see my paintings in person, you'll look at the depth." Hodges' early study of performance and film brings a sense of dramatic staging to his compositions, which, coupled by a softness in the application of paint, ensures a subtlety of approach in addressing the challenging universal themes of existence which he explores.
| ISBN: | 9788857255378 |
| Publication date: | 31st July 2026 |
| Author: | Edith Devaney |
| Publisher: | Skira an imprint of Skira Editore |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 192 pages |
| Genres: |
Paintings and painting |
African-American painter Reggie Burrows Hodges (b. 1965, Compton, California) pursues a strong visual narrative in his works, which explore questions of identity, community and memory. Published on the occasion of his solo exhibition at MICAS, this publication features recent paintings which illustrate Hodges' singular technique of employing a black ground across his canvases and then developing the scene around his figures with painterly, loose brushwork. A technique which deliberately plays with perceptions by reducing the focus on the human figure, which is essentially formed by the negative space within the composition; a practice which accentuates the environment where the figures are situated rather than the figures themselves. As he notes, "I start with a black ground [as a way] of dealing with blackness' totality. I'm painting an environment in which the figures emerge from negative space… if you see my paintings in person, you'll look at the depth." Hodges' early study of performance and film brings a sense of dramatic staging to his compositions, which, coupled by a softness in the application of paint, ensures a subtlety of approach in addressing the challenging universal themes of existence which he explores.
Reggie Burrows Hodges features in the following genres: Paintings and painting
Reggie Burrows Hodges is available in Hardback
Reggie Burrows Hodges was written by Edith Devaney and published by Skira an imprint of Skira Editore
Reggie Burrows Hodges has 192 pages
£40.50