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Burgess Modern + Contemporary is excited to announce, “Purvis Young: WARRIOR”, a curated exhibition of mixed media paintings spotlighting Young’s expansive career. A self-taught painter from Miami’s Overtown neighborhood, Purvis used his art as a powerful expression of his life story and the experiences of his peers. At Burgess Modern + Contemporary we celebrate the works of this remarkable artist and honor him as an essential figure that shaped our understanding of Black Culture.

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Saints II, 1994  Mixed Media House Paint on Laid Fabric  46.50 x 19.50 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Saints II, 1994

Mixed Media House Paint on Laid Fabric

46.50 x 19.50 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Saints, 1994  Mixed Media  46 x 21 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Saints, 1994

Mixed Media

46 x 21 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Talk To Her, 1995  Mixed Media  48 x 20 in
Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Free Her, 1992  Mixed Media  48 x 18 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Talk To Her, 1995

Mixed Media

48 x 20 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Free Her, 1992

Mixed Media

48 x 18 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010) Collage 1989, 1989 OIl enamels on wood with wood collage86 x 31 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Collage 1989, 1989

OIl enamels on wood with wood collage

86 x 31 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010) Angel in the City, 1992 Mixed Media house paint on panel48.50 x 17 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Angel in the City, 1992

Mixed Media house paint on panel

48.50 x 17 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Three Dudes, 1980’s  Acrylic paint on board  48 x 21.75 x 1 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Three Dudes, 1980’s

Acrylic paint on board

48 x 21.75 x 1 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Collage 1994 - 1996,  1994-1996  Paint and wood construction on board  96 x 24 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Collage 1994 - 1996,

1994-1996

Paint and wood construction on board

96 x 24 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Collage 1994,  1994  Mixed Media  96 x 26 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Collage 1994,

1994

Mixed Media

96 x 26 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Jazz Men, 1994  Mixed Media House Paint on wood and carpet on laid fabric  37 x 32 in
Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Carry Over The Mountain, 1990  Mixed Media house paint on cardboard  28 x 50 in
Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  She's an Angel, 1995  Mixed Media house paint on wood  31.50 x 21.50 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Jazz Men, 1994

Mixed Media House Paint on wood and carpet on laid fabric

37 x 32 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Carry Over The Mountain, 1990

Mixed Media house paint on cardboard

28 x 50 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

She's an Angel, 1995

Mixed Media house paint on wood

31.50 x 21.50 in

Purvis Young is an exemplary example of an artist whose work speaks directly to our current strife and seeks to provide guidance forward. As a Black American artist, Young's depictions make power palpable, urging viewers to look within for introspection and moral growth. His somber figures with vibrant artistic expressionism has granted insight into the soul of civil unrest and the possibility that future strife can be diverted through bold strides towards pro-social reform. Herein lies Young’s greatest contribution: A sober reminder that constructive dialogue is key if we are to chart a new course away from destruction and despair - his inspiring works provide us with direction on that path forward.

 

Purvis Young created artworks that express powerful, figurative systems of allegory focusing on the many social injustices and racial inequalities he encountered in his lifetime. His art both conveys the literal realities of prejudiced treatment endured by African Americans and works to explore new ways to break through some of this maltreatment. By employing his distinctive style Young's art has come to embody a cautionary tale for our nation, along with spiritual guidance- one that stretches from our collective past and present policies. As such, his was an unwavering voice in showcasing minority experience during a time rife with tension between economic classes and racial identity.

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Saint Michael's Battle, circa 1980's  Mixed media collage on board with carpet  48 x 96 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Saint Michael's Battle, circa 1980's

Mixed media collage on board with carpet

48 x 96 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Figures, 1992  Paint on curved on Mica panel.  17 x 47.50 x 8 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Figures, 1992

Paint on curved on Mica panel.

17 x 47.50 x 8 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Freedom Angel, 1992  Mixed Media  24 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Freedom Angel, 1992

Mixed Media

24 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Leaders at Night, 1991  Mixed Media house paint on cardboard and laid fabric  12 x 35 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Leaders at Night, 1991

Mixed Media house paint on cardboard and laid fabric

12 x 35 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Free Them, Now, 1980's  Mixed Media house paint on wood  36 x 36 in
Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Angel and Boats, circa 1980's  Acrylic on board  49 x 48 x 1 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Free Them, Now, 1980's

Mixed Media house paint on wood

36 x 36 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Angel and Boats, circa 1980's

Acrylic on board

49 x 48 x 1 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Saint & Angel, 1992  Mixed Media  62 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Saint & Angel, 1992

Mixed Media

62 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Leaders at Night II, 1998  Mixed Media  28 x 24 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Leaders at Night II, 1998

Mixed Media

28 x 24 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Hangin Out, 1993  Mixed Media  40.50 x 30 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Hangin Out, 1993

Mixed Media

40.50 x 30 in

Purvis Young's impact on artistically portraying the struggles of African American and minority populations across the country is incontestable. His bold, emotive work has earned him recognition in over 60 museum collections, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, DeYoung Museum and Philadelphia Museum of Art that have among them some of the most renowned art collections in America.

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Come from the Mountains, 1993  Mixed Media house paint on thin wood  24 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Come from the Mountains, 1993

Mixed Media house paint on thin wood

24 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Warriors Together, 1987  Mixed Media house paint on cardboard and thin wood  17.50 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Warriors Together, 1987

Mixed Media house paint on cardboard and thin wood

17.50 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Sailing At Sunrise, circa 1980's  Acrylic on board1  3.50 x 75 x 2.50 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Sailing At Sunrise, circa 1980's

Acrylic on board1

3.50 x 75 x 2.50 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  They Know Why, 1992  Mixed Media house paint on thin wood  18 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

They Know Why, 1992

Mixed Media house paint on thin wood

18 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Three Angels, circa 1980's  Acrylic on board  24 x 48 x 0.75 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Three Angels, circa 1980's

Acrylic on board

24 x 48 x 0.75 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Hold Back the Eye, 1993  Mixed Media House paint and carpet on board  21 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Hold Back the Eye, 1993

Mixed Media House paint and carpet on board

21 x 48 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  People Out, 1995  Mixed Media house paint and carpet on plastic & cardboard  17 x 41 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

People Out, 1995

Mixed Media house paint and carpet on plastic & cardboard

17 x 41 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  The People Want It, 1995  Mixed Media House Paint on wood and laid fabric  19 x 28.50 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

The People Want It, 1995

Mixed Media House Paint on wood and laid fabric

19 x 28.50 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Collage 1990, 1990  Mixed Media  59 x 46.50 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Collage 1990, 1990

Mixed Media

59 x 46.50 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)  Drawing from the 1990's #426  Acrylic Paint and ink on paper  14 x 20 in

Purvis Young (1943 - 2010)

Drawing from the 1990's #426

Acrylic Paint and ink on paper

14 x 20 in

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