Full Frontal Pussy on a Saturday Morning?

I visited Kenrick’s Meta solo show in LA this weekend. I’ve mentioned Kenrick on this blog before, he is a dear friend who I consider to be very wise. His presence and his words have many times brought me peace, I think he has that gift. Kenrick and I have kept up throughout the years, from our days commuting from the burbs to the city and back, bumping into eachother on the bus and the train to spend the time talking about life. I am very proud of him and his journey.

I didn’t really know what to expect going into the gallery. Kenrick is a very good painter. Just on a technical level, I love the way he paints. The openness and freedom, done in such a way that showcases skill, understanding of the medium and confidence. When all comes together, it’s something you have to see in person to really experience.

Walking into the gallery, the first image I was presented with, a woman with her legs up in the air, a pussy and black face. My first thought was that’s WILD, a later thought being “who the hell is buying that painting?” I walked around the gallery surrounded by the graphic images the paintings presented. I feel like I’m partially desensitized from graphic images, maybe that comes from art school, I think I’ve grown to expect to see many tabu things in the art world. That is partially why it is so important to exist. The images in this show explore some of the shadow spaces of the mind. Darker elements, that like nightmares, have their space and deserve their presence and meditation.

I am glad Kenrick has this space to explore, that there is this freedom of expression he has cultivated in order to give us images that explore these elements of humanity. It really is a show to see in person, if you are in the LA area or just have some cash to blow on a trip out there, highly recommend. He also has a show coming up in September in Paris this year, which like all his other shows I’m sure will be one worth seeing.

Kenrick Mcfarlane “Meta”
M+B Gallery in Los Angeles
July 7 - August 12, 2023

Images of Kenrick’s show from M+B gallery website
Copyright the artist

More images including THAT one on the gallery website here:
https://www.mbart.com/exhibitions/294-kenrick-mcfarlane-meta-m-b/overview/

Paintings by Kenrick Mcfarlane from left to right
1. “Majora’s Mask”
2.“I Get Those Goosebumps Every Time”
3. “Theaster’s Final Warning”