ERNIE BARNES: IN RAPTURE
Ortuzar Projects and Andrew Kreps Gallery proudly present "Ernie Barnes: In Rapture," a comprehensive exhibition celebrating the late figurative painter Ernie Barnes. We invite you to explore this retrospective, which spans five decades of Barnes' work and highlights his unique "neo-mannerist" style through genre paintings of sports, dance, music, and everyday life. From his early sports paintings to his later cultural influence, the exhibition takes its title from Barnes' painting "In Rapture," featured on B.B. King's 2000 album cover. Barnes' art captures the fluidity and joy of human movement, drawing inspiration from Italian Mannerists and American masters such as Thomas Hart Benton and Norman Rockwell. Despite growing up in the segregated South, Barnes' passion for art was nurtured by his mother and further developed through his studies and athletic scholarship at North Carolina Central University.
Barnes' career began in professional football, but he soon transitioned to a full-time artist, frequently depicting dynamic sports scenes. His art evolved to embrace broader cultural themes, notably in his "The Beauty of the Ghetto" exhibition, which toured American cities in the 1970s and highlighted the vitality of mid-century Black southern life. This exhibition marked a pivotal moment, integrating his work into popular culture, including the CBS sitcom "Good Times." Barnes' later works continued to celebrate communal joy and individual passion, portraying scenes of music and dance that resonated deeply with audiences. His collaborations with musical artists further emphasized his ability to capture the spirit of Black culture through his vibrant, rhythmic paintings. The exhibition is on view through July 15.