Primarily based in Los Angeles, Noah Davis created a body of figurative paintings that explores a range of Black life.
Motivated by the desire to ‘represent the people around me’, Davis painted figures diving into pools, sleeping, dancing, and looking at art in scenes that can be both realistic and dreamlike, joyful and melancholic. Davis drew from anonymous photography, personal archives, film, art history and his imagination to create a ravishing body of work. Often enigmatic, his paintings reveal a deep feeling for humanity and the emotional textures of the everyday.
In 2012, Davis co-founded The Underground Museum to give free access to world-class art for the people of Arlington Heights, LA. This exhibition presents over 50 of Davis’ works in painting, sculpture, curating and community-building from 2007 to his untimely death in 2015.
This exhibition contains references to themes of racism, bereavement, illness and domestic violence. One work in the exhibition contains nudity. For guidance on where these are in the gallery, please speak to a member of staff.
Noah Davis is initiated by Barbican, London and DAS MINSK, Potsdam where it was on display 7 September 2024 – 5 January 2025. The exhibition will tour to the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles 8 June – 31 August 2025.
This exhibition is generously supported by Clore Wyndham, part of the Noah Davis Exhibition Circle.
Source: BARBICAN
