Installation view of the exhibition, Al Taylor: Early Paintings, at David Zwirner, New York, dated 2017.
Installation view of the exhibition, Al Taylor: Early Paintings, at David Zwirner, New York, dated 2017.

Al Taylor: Early Paintings

Trained as a painter, Al Taylor (1948-1999) is best known for his three-dimensional constructions incorporating everyday materials, such as broomsticks, hula hoops, Plexiglas, and fishing floats, as well as his related drawings and prints.

Taylor created paintings until 1985, when he began making three-dimensional works. Borrowing from disparate styles, these canvases do not fit into any one category, but rather reveal a playful tension between flatness and depth, figuration and abstraction that is wholly Taylor's own. For the poet and critic John Yau, these virtually unknown canvases are a canny response to the painterly schisms of the time. He writes, "Taylor found a way to embrace divergent and even antagonistic impulses, and build upon them; this was his way of going forward...He never sought the easy way out."

This exhibition—the first to focus exclusively on Taylor's paintings—is a rare opportunity to see a selection of works made between 1971 and 1980 which have never been shown before.

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For more information about available works contact inquiries@davidzwirner.com

Dates
February 24April 15, 2017
Artist
A painting by Al Taylor, called Breakman, dated 1978.

Al Taylor

Breakman, 1978
Acrylic on canvas
32 x 26 1/8 inches (81.3 x 66.4 cm)
A painting by Al Taylor, titled Mendoza, dated 1980.

Al Taylor

Mendoza, 1980
Acrylic and oil on canvas
82 3/4 x 42 inches (210.2 x 106.7 cm)
An untitled painting by Al Taylor, dated circa 1977 through 1978.

Al Taylor

Untitled, c. 1977-1978
Acrylic on canvas
40 7/8 x 15 7/8 inches (103.8 x 40.3 cm)
A painting by Al Taylor, titled Egyptian Painting, dated 1978.

Al Taylor

Egyptian Painting, 1978
Acrylic and oil on canvas
72 x 36 inches (182.9 x 91.4 cm)
A painting by Al Taylor, titled Helen, dated 1976.

Al Taylor

Helen, 1976
Acrylic on two (2) canvas panels
54 1/4 x 72 1/4 inches (137.8 x 183.5 cm)
An untitled painting by Al Taylor, dated circa 1974 through 1975.

Al Taylor

Untitled, c. 1974-1975
Acrylic on canvas
72 x 48 inches (182.9 x 121.9 cm)

Al Taylor in his Warwick Street studio, Kansas City, Missouri, April 1969 © 2017 The Estate of Al Taylor

A Painting by Al Taylor, titled Thinking About It, dated 1980.

Al Taylor

Thinking About It, 1980
Acrylic on canvas
90 x 40 inches (228.6 x 101.6 cm)
An untitled painting by Al Taylor, dated circa 1978 through 1979.

Al Taylor

Untitled, c. 1978-1979
Acrylic on canvas
72 1/8 x 48 inches (183.2 x 121.9 cm)

Published on the occasion of the exhibition is a fully illustrated book which includes an essay by John Yau and a conversation conducted by Mimi Thompson with artists Stanley Whitney and Billy Sullivan, all of whom knew Taylor well during his lifetim...

Artist: Al Taylor

Published on the occasion of the exhibition is a fully illustrated book which includes an essay by John Yau and a conversation conducted by Mimi Thompson with artists Stanley Whitney and Billy Sullivan, all of whom knew Taylor well during his lifetime. A detailed biographical chronology compiled by Debbie Taylor completes this important contribution to the understanding of her husband's life and work. Published by David Zwirner Books.

Installation view of the exhibition, Al Taylor: Early Paintings, at David Zwirner, New York, dated 2017.
Installation view of the exhibition, Al Taylor: Early Paintings, at David Zwirner, New York, dated 2017.
Installation view of the exhibition, Al Taylor: Early Paintings, at David Zwirner, New York, dated 2017.
Installation view of the exhibition, Al Taylor: Early Paintings, at David Zwirner, New York, dated 2017.
Installation view of the exhibition, Al Taylor: Early Paintings, at David Zwirner, New York, dated 2017.
Installation view of the exhibition, Al Taylor: Early Paintings, at David Zwirner, New York, dated 2017.
Installation view of the exhibition, Al Taylor: Early Paintings, at David Zwirner, New York, dated 2017.
A painting by Al Taylor, called Breakman, dated 1978.

Al Taylor

Breakman, 1978
Acrylic on canvas
32 x 26 1/8 inches (81.3 x 66.4 cm)
An untitled painting by Al Taylor, dated circa 1977 through 1978.

Al Taylor

Untitled, c. 1977-1978
Acrylic on canvas
40 7/8 x 15 7/8 inches (103.8 x 40.3 cm)
A painting by Al Taylor, titled Vendor, dated 1979.

Al Taylor

Vendor, 1979
Oil on canvas
67 5/8 x 31 inches (171.8 x 78.7 cm)
A painting by Al Taylor, titled Night People, dated 1979.

Al Taylor

Night People, 1979
Acrylic on canvas
66 1/4 x 40 inches (168.3 x 101.6 cm)
An untitled painting by Al Taylor, dated 1980.

Al Taylor

Untitled, 1980
Acrylic and oil on canvas
68 1/8 x 42 inches (173 x 106.7 cm)
An untitled painting by Al Taylor, dated 1971.

Al Taylor

Untitled, 1971
Alkyd and oil on canvas
60 x 84 inches (152.4 x 213.4 cm)
A painting by Al Taylor, titled Mendoza, dated 1980.

Al Taylor

Mendoza, 1980
Acrylic and oil on canvas
82 3/4 x 42 inches (210.2 x 106.7 cm)
A painting by Al Taylor, titled Marriage, dated 1975.

Al Taylor

Marriage, 1975
Latex on two (2) linen panels
30 x 30 1/4 inches (76.2 x 76.8 cm)
A painting by Al Taylor, titled Egyptian Painting, dated 1978.

Al Taylor

Egyptian Painting, 1978
Acrylic and oil on canvas
72 x 36 inches (182.9 x 91.4 cm)
An untitled painting by Al Taylor, dated circa 1978 through 1979.

Al Taylor

Untitled, c. 1978-1979
Acrylic on canvas
72 1/8 x 48 inches (183.2 x 121.9 cm)
A Painting by Al Taylor, titled Thinking About It, dated 1980.

Al Taylor

Thinking About It, 1980
Acrylic on canvas
90 x 40 inches (228.6 x 101.6 cm)
An untitled painting by Al Taylor, dated circa 1974 through 1975.

Al Taylor

Untitled, c. 1974-1975
Acrylic on canvas
72 x 48 inches (182.9 x 121.9 cm)
A painting by Al Taylor, titled Helen, dated 1976.

Al Taylor

Helen, 1976
Acrylic on two (2) canvas panels
54 1/4 x 72 1/4 inches (137.8 x 183.5 cm)

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