Hurvin Anderson’s paintings offer viewers a glimpse into the bright and bustling world of Jamaica. The British-born artist is known for creating large-scale pieces honouring his Jamaican roots, depicting quintessential Caribbean scenes such as Jamaican patty hotspots, barbershops, and Trinidad’s lush tropical greenery.
This summer, the Art Gallery of Ontario is hosting Hurvin Anderson: Backdrop, Canada’s first solo exhibition featuring Anderson’s work. Curated in partnership with the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, the exhibition includes a selection of Anderson’s iconic paintings as well as exclusive sculptures, drawings, and photography. “Hurvin Anderson’s paintings reflect on the many identities that can emerge from multiple influences on someone’s life,” says curator Adelina Vlas. “Their textured surfaces reveal the artist’s unique approach to distilling memory into a two dimensional object, like a painting.”
Keep scrolling for the 10 artworks we’re most excited to see.
Hurvin Anderson: Backdrop is on view at the AGO until August 21, 2016. For more cultural happenings, read our May Culture Fix here.