One of my best friends (who's not an artie) insisted on taking me to this exhibition he had been to, I was cautiously happy to go along as it's not often that these invitations come from outside the circle. Turns out it was the right decision, Tavares Strachan where have you been all my life??
This multifaceted Bahamian bombshell blew my mind with his 7 foot square vibrant and loaded collages (which seemed larger for some reason), some were backlit adding an element of drama. Strachan delves into the hidden stories of 'achievers of colour' in a way that resonates deeply with me, he uses neon lights, reflective material and audio and sculpture to illustrate this beautifully.
I felt immersed in his narrative, especially in the his installation "The Encyclopedia of Invisibility", a large room adorned with pages from a sculptural piece produced by the artist in 2018. Also featured was a tribute to astronaught Robert Henry Lawrence Jr who died during a crash landing at Edwards Air Base (a tragic story with some racist backlash as highlighted in the neon display).
I found the experience visually stunning and inspiring, his body of work carefully considered and tastefully executed. I understand now why my friend was so keen for me to visit the Hayward Gallery that afternoon, and I'm glad that I did. Tavares Strachan is firmly and rightfully in my sights from now on.
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