Purvis Young Warriors With Horses Unsigned

Purvis Young, an American artist hailing from Florida (1943-2010), left behind a compelling body of work that continues to captivate and intrigue art enthusiasts to this day. Among his distinctive pieces, one stands out - an original art drawing executed in blue ink on yellow legal paper. This particular piece depicts warriors with horses. The work is unsigned and unframed. Measuring 11 inches in height and 8 1/2 inches in width, this work showcases Young's talent, imagination, and deep-rooted influences from his surroundings. Unframed, this piece is a part of an important collection originating from the estate of Jay Justice, an esteemed South Carolina collector. This essay delves into Young's unique artistic vision and sheds light on the narrative and stylistic elements within this captivating artwork. The work comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The Creative Genius of Purvis Young:

Purvis Young's art is rooted in his tumultuous life experiences, primarily growing up in poverty-stricken neighborhoods of the Overtown district in Miami, Florida. Autodidactic by nature, Young found solace and expression in art, using it as a medium to comment on the societal issues prevalent in his community. His distinct artistic style combines elements of expressionism, folk art, and outsider art, showcasing a visual narrative that explores themes of social inequality, urban decay, spirituality, and the pursuit of hope.

The Choice of Medium and Techniques:

Using blue ink on yellow legal paper, Young crafted a visual composition that demonstrates his mastery of line work and mark-making. The choice of blue ink adds vibrancy and dynamism to the artwork, contrasting against the yellow background and drawing attention to the detail. Young's deliberate use of these materials and techniques showcases his resourcefulness as an artist, creating impactful works even with limited artistic resources at his disposal.

The Influence of Jay Justice's Collection:

Being a part of the Jay Justice collection brings further significance to this artwork. Jay Justice, an esteemed South Carolina collector, recognized the value and importance of Young's work, preserving and celebrating his artistic legacy. By bringing this artwork into his collection, Justice contributes to showcasing Young's talent to a wider audience, ensuring the preservation of his artistic vision, and providing an opportunity for art enthusiasts to engage with Young's unique narratives.

Conclusion:

Purvis Young's original art drawing, line rider on a horse, vividly encapsulates both the artist's personal experiences and his artistic style. Through its choice of medium, techniques, and subject matter, this artwork represents a fusion of social commentaries, spiritual themes, and visual storytelling. Mounted within a floating frame, this piece occupies a unique position within the esteemed collection of Jay Justice.

Purvis Young

Purvis Young was a self-taught African-American artist known for his expressive collages and paintings. Made on found objects, including scrap metal, book pages, and discarded envelopes, his richly colored depictions of trucks, figures, and coil-shaped abstractions, described a fraught yet inspired experience of living in the poverty stricken Overtown neighborhood of Miami. “What I say is the world is getting worser, guys pushing buggies, street people not having no jobs here in Miami, drugs kill the young, and church people riding around in luxury cars,” he once remarked. Born on February 4, 1943 in Liberty City, FL, he learned to draw from his uncle at a young age but never had any formal art training. It was during his incarceration at the Raiford State Penitentiary from 1961–1961 as a teenager, that he began drawing prolifically. Years after his release, Young’s creative output attracted the attention of Bernard Davis, the owner of the Miami Art Museum. Davis subsequently brought the artist’s work into the public eye, and by the 1970s, tourists and collectors regularly visited Young in Goodbread Alley where he lived and worked. Inspired by books on Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh, El Greco, and Paul Gauguin, as well as documentaries on American history, Young’s work grew in scope and formal invention throughout the latter part of his career. The artist died on April 20, 2010 in Miami, FL. Today, his works are held in the collections of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, the American Folk Art Museum in New York, and the de Young Museum of Art in San Francisco, among others.

According to Art in America "In interviews, he [Young] often referred to his work as a form of protest art.