Kerry James Marshall at Jack Shainman Gallery

Recent paintings by Art21 artist Kerry James Marshall (Season 1) are on view May 22 through July 3, 2008 at Jack Shainman Gallery in New York. The exhibition, titled Black Romantic, is the artist’s first solo show at the gallery in many years.

According to the website ArtCal, Marshall takes his show title from the 2002 exhibition at the Studio Museum in Harlem, curated by Thelma Golden. Using Golden’s Black Romantic as a point of departure, Marshall continues his exploration of the black figure represented in pictorial space. Whereas Golden “explored populist notions of ‘Black Art’ and the uncritical realm of image making,” Marshall “investigates the critical pretensions of the fine art establishment in which he participates.” In these new works, the artist employs genres of painting, ranging from seascapes to classical artist self-portraits. Marshall will also present a mixed media sculptural installation.

Jack Shainman Gallery is located at 513 West 20th Street. An opening reception takes place tomorrow from 6-8pm.

Watch the Art:21 video “A Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of his Former Self,” to hear Marshall discuss the first painting in which he used his signature black figure.