Taylor Simmons paintings, prints and drawings present hazy, fluorescent snapshots of everyday life, blending figuration and abstraction into layered, dynamic compositions. Distinct for his neon palette and innovative use of acrylic, oil, airbrush and wax, Simmons constructs fragmented narratives inspired by music, viral videos and found photographs. These elements reflect his upbringing in Atlanta, Georgia and years in New York City, exploring themes of masculinity, youthful play, work and rest. Simmons works depict individuals caught in fleeting moments – chance encounters, forgotten scenes or intimate connections. Figures emerge from and dissolve into hazy backgrounds, weaving ambiguous stories that invite viewers’ interpretation. His tightly framed bodies and vibrant tones create an atmosphere of intensity and excess, balanced by a subtle vulnerability. Grounded in self-analysis, Simmons practice explores the interplay between inherited cultural practices and Western ideals of masculinity, particularly within the Southern Black community. His intuitive process transforms personal introspection into universally resonant works.

 

Taylor Simmons (b. 1990, Atlanta, USA; lives and works in New York, USA) was included in the Artsy Vanguard 2025. Recent solo exhibitions include 'Hangtime', Public Gallery, London (2025); ‘LIMBO = Living Is My Best Option’, Helena Anrather, New York (2024); ‘Where’s My Hug At?’, SIXI Museum, Nanjing (2023) and ‘Everything All At Once’, Public Gallery, London (2022). His work is in important collections, including X Museum, Beijing; Friedrich Christian Flick Collection, Berlin; Igal Ahouvi Collection, London; SIXI Museum, Nanjing.