Slick

170.0 x 123.0 cm
Chrysler Museum of Art

barkley leonnard hendricks (1945 – 2017)

Explore the striking life-sized portraits of Barkley L. Hendricks (1945-2017), a key figure in Black portraiture & conceptualism. His realistic depictions challenge Western art traditions, blending American realism with postmodern style.

Chrysler Museum of Art (Norfolk, United States of America)

Explore the Chrysler Museum of Art's stunning collection spanning millennia – from Tiffany glass to European masters and American icons! Free admission & engaging programs await visitors in Norfolk, Virginia.

“You think you’re slick. Just wait. One day a woman is going to straighten you out!” This wry comment by Hendricks’ sister inspired the title of this self-portrait. The essence of cool, the artist is stylishly dressed in a white linen suit and stands against a neutral backdrop. The white-on-white environment becomes a witty metaphor for the racial politics of the era. Drawing attention to his face and colorful African cap, Hendricks invites us to contemplate his identity—a vision that is literally reflected in his glasses as they catch the light from his studio’s arched windows.78.62

By the AllPaintingsStore.com Editorial Team

About this artwork

Title: Slick
Artist: barkley leonnard hendricks
Original dimensions: 170.0 x 123.0 cm
Format: Portrait
Copyright status: Under copyright
Where to see it: Chrysler Museum of Art
Main color: White
Color intensity: Monochromatic