Venice, Italy

Concurrent with the 2019 Venice Biennale, a solo exhibition of Young’s work entitled Personal Structures was presented at Palazzo Mora in the European Cultural Center located on Strada Cannaregio. 
The juxtaposition of Young’s energetic and frenetic found material compositions in dialogue with the 17th century palazzo were a highlight beyond the pavilions. Curated as an exploration of representational physical forms and the legacy of authoritarian presence across a variety of mediums, the exhibition also showcased an homage to the artist’s original masterpiece installation, Good Bread Alley, in MIami Florida and was enthusiastically received by both institutional and personal collectors.
[Curatorial note: The Venice Collection remains fully intact as installed above, and is available for select museum loan worldwide.]
photo: Skot Foreman, 1995

purvis young

(february 4, 1943 – april 20, 2010)

Purvis Young was an American artist of Bahamian descent. Young’s art was often a blend of painting and drawing with collaged elements utilizing everyday found materials.

Young was an autodidact and acquired a vast treasure trove of resources for inspiration  –  documentaries, art books, American history and spiritual folklore were creative touchstones.  His expansive vernacular of wild horses, landscapes, figures, sages, angels, warriors, boats, sports and musicians, to name but a few – all contributed to Young’s purposeful lingua franca.

works of art

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In a sequel to their acclaimed 2019 exhibition, “Purvis Young: 91”, the Tampa Museum of Art is currently presenting “Purvis Young: Redux”, now on view through June 29, 2025. Originally gifted to the museum by the Rubell Family Foundation in 2004, the works serve as a treasured asset to the museum’s permanent collection.