De Style 1993

Kerry James Marshall made "De Style" with acrylic on canvas, and it’s like stepping right into a bustling barbershop! Look at how Marshall's figures emerge from deep, rich blacks, contrasted by the bright, almost cartoonish colors of the shop's interior. Imagine him, brush in hand, carefully building up those layers of black, creating a palpable sense of depth and presence. The pink stars feel like an interesting decision. What do they mean? Are they simply a pop reference? Or is Marshall also playing with ideas of identity and visibility? There's a fascinating dialogue happening here, not just with the history of painting, but with the very act of seeing and being seen. Marshall is constantly in conversation with other artists, pushing the boundaries of what painting can do and who it can represent.