Barkley L. Hendricks Exhibit at the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston

The current exhibit at the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston showcases select works from Barkley L. Hendricks ranging from the 1960's to present. Hendricks' artwork mainly consists of portraits of black people, from family members and friends to fellow artists. Oil is his chosen medium, and his work displays a particular gift for capturing his subjects' personalities along with their physical features. Other interests such as basketball, music and fashion are evident in his art, though classical elements are integrated as well.

Hendricks describes his use of color as "limited palette," referring to his tendency to make the background a single color, usually the same color as his subjects' clothing. This has the effect of keeping the viewer's attention on the subject. While they are often dressed the hip stylings of the era, the artist seems to downplay these elements by blending with the background. The man makes the clothes, instead of the other way around.

He paints self-portraits as well, some of which are nude and feature titles that highlight of the artist's sense of humor and self-parody. These are titles such as, "Brilliantly Endowed," "Brown Sugar Vine," and "Icon For My Man Superman." Beyond the humor however, Hendricks' self portraits exhibit a remarkable sense of self-awareness, from the shape of his features down to his manner of expression.

Some unexpected classical influences are apparent in his work. He makes use of gold and silver leaf in his later works, taking his inspiration from Byzantine Art, of all things. Somehow the effect befits the nature of the subjects he chooses for his paintings. Some of his self-portraits have been said to be reminiscent of Rembrandt's portraits in regards to the limited use of color and a preference for shadows.

A work that stands above the rest is titled, "Fela: Amen, Amen Amen..." This is a portrait of rock singer Fela Kuti, which features the gold leaf and the unusual addition of neon paint. Below the painting, 27 pairs of women's shoes, also neon-painted, represent the singers and dancers Fela Kuti married all at the same time. This work best represents the attitude that Hendricks seeks to bring to the canvas from his subjects, a focus on the defiance inherent in black culture.

The exhibit will remain at the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston until April 18, 2010. The artists's website is www.barkleyhendricks.com.