"Toyin Salau" by Khalif Thompson

30 in x 40 in, wall paint, fabric, Japanese paper, Raw silk, velvet, rose petals.
Handmade paper (hemp, abaca, cotton) oil on canvas.  -- unframed

Oluwatoyin Ruth "Toyin" Salau (August 27, 2000 – June 2020) was an active participant in the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Tallahassee, Florida, described as an "emerging leader" and "prominent voice" in the movement. She had advocated on behalf of Tony McDade in particular. ( source Wikipedia) 

Working primarily through portraiture and figuration, I build open and atmospheric compositions rendered from found or handmade materials, creating environments that host concepts that interest me concerning self-identity, race, spirituality, psychology and indefinable things that make each person an individual. In response to the ambition and power of the art historical and contemporary figurative work, I impart sensitive and emotionally rich works that add to my own experiences. I bring to my figurations a probing element of paper-making and collage. I tend to work large-scale and enjoy layering the surface, informing the structure and emanating a stream of consciousness of sorts. I describe an inner dialogue towards my subjectivity, using text and journal entries, as well as metaphorical imagery. The paintings are active in exploring different modes of working that offer a hands-on approach to molding the material. The impermanence of life and its creations are an engrossing enigma within my paintings and therefore I attempt to augment presence. Through the representation of my immediate surroundings, relationships, memories, thoughts, and sentiments I provide them with importance and influence. In all, my work is a pure and consummate search for who I am and an eloquent practice of telling my story.

Bio:
Khalif Tahir Thompson is best recognized in his powerful work concentrated in portraiture and figuration. Incorporating painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, and paper-making into his practice, he explores notions of self through race, sexuality, and spirituality. Recently he graduated from Purchase College with his Bachelor's in Fine arts degree and completed a fellowship at the EFA Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop in NYC. As well as residencies at the Vermont Studio Center and Trestle Art Space. He was recently awarded a grant from the Brooklyn Arts Council and is currently represented by the gallery of BLACK ART IN AMERICA (BAIA).

When will my order ship ?

Please see each individual item page for more information on the availability of each item. Also please make sure your shipping address information is complete and accurate with your first and last name, full address, unit, suite or apartment number, valid phone number and email address.  Shipments can only be sent to an actual street address.  There are NO DELIVERIES to post office boxes. Please note that we will not ship your order until we've received payment from you. You will receive a shipment confirmation when your order has shipped with the tracking details. Upon the delivery of your shipment, a signature is requested.

Do you ship internationally?

Please give us a call at +1 404-565.1493 (USA) to process international shipments. When will my order ship and what are my shipping charges? Shipping and handling are automatically calculated prior to submitting your payment information.

If you require special shipping arrangements please email us at: info@baiaonline.com or call us at + 1 404-565-1493 (USA). After payments are processed, all orders are fulfilled. Orders are shipped via UPS Ground or FedEx and the generally expected delivery time is within 2-8 business days, depending on the state being shipped to. For Garden Art For The Soul™, shipments are shipped weekly Monday through Friday.