Henry Taylor at the Picasso Museum in Paris: a major exhibition celebrating contemporary American painting

One of the leading figures in contemporary American painting, Henry Taylor takes center stage at the Musée national Picasso-Paris in a major exhibition created in close collaboration with the artist himself. Running from April 7 to September 6, 2026, this extensive show offers an immersive journey through a body of work characterized by a keen observation of the human condition, collective memory, and the social realities of African Americans, all set in a confident dialogue with the legacy of Pablo Picasso.

Having transitioned to a career as an artist in the 1990s after working as a psychiatric nurse, Henry Taylor quickly cultivated a deeply empathetic approach to portraiture. His perspective, shaped by his experience caring for hospitalized patients, infuses his entire body of work. Today celebrated worldwide, this unique sensitivity is a guiding theme throughout his exhibition in Paris.

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An Expressive Artwork Blending Personal History and Collective Memory

From his studio in Los Angeles, Henry Taylor captures everyday life with vivid scenes, compelling portraits, landscapes, and assembled objects rich with meaning. His work focuses heavily on portraying the African American community and exploring urban and racial struggles—yet always avoids didactic preachiness. Painting, sculpture, and installation come together in a powerful, expressive artistic voice that is often direct but always deeply human.

The artist draws from a rich and confident array of references. Henry Taylor engages in a dialogue with art history, referencing figures like David Hammons, Philip Guston, and Pablo Picasso. These reinterpretations give rise to a hybrid body of work where personal intimacy intersects with political commentary, and individual memory transforms into a catalyst for collective reflection.

An Exhibition Crafted Within the Context of the Picasso Museum in Paris

Designed with a broad, sometimes retrospective approach, the exhibition forms part of a deeper reflection led by the Musée Picasso on Picasso's reception in the United States and its place within African American culture. It follows exhibitions dedicated to Faith Ringgold in 2023, Jackson Pollock in 2024, and Philip Guston in 2025. Simultaneously, the museum is laying the groundwork for a major retrospective on the Harlem Renaissance scheduled for spring 2027.

This well-curated program situates Henry Taylor within a broader transatlantic art history, while highlighting how Picasso's legacy still inspires contemporary artists engaged with social and identity issues. A must-see, for a discerning audience.

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