'With The End In Mind': Reginald Sylvester II Launches Second Solo London Exhibition

Photo: Maximillian William

American artist Reginald Sylvester II has unveiled his second solo exhibition in London – located at contemporary art gallery Maximillian William. With the End in Mind, which can be viewed until 14 August, uses abstraction and figuration to reflect on both the present moment and its future destination. It follows Sylvester’s previous Maximillian William exhibition NEMESIS, which focused on the artist’s transition from figurative art towards purely abstract pieces.

At the exhibition, Sylvester presents a variety of paintings and works – including his ‘drape paintings’, which use leftover and waste products from the studio to represent the restricted amount of resources diasporas often have access to. Loose canvas threads from the studio floors are incorporated into the pieces, to demonstrate the dynamism of their location. Sylvester also exhibits ‘bondage paintings’ – wrapped with heavy ropes to depict shackles around a soul.

Photo: Maximillian William

The New York-based artist, whose work has varied influences ranging from biblical scriptures and themes of identity to abstract expressionism, also uses his proficiency in graphic design and contemporary streetwear design to inform his paintings. His compelling works have reached public collections in Wolverhampton, Switzerland and Milan; with the artist set to debut his first solo institutional presentation at a museum in the United States in 2022.

With the End in Mind draws on Sylvester’s keen interest in abstraction as “a refusal of easy readings, categorisations and conclusions”. It uses abstraction as a representation of the spirit, while depictions of the body can be spotted in pieces such as 'Duality of a Woman' through the additional use of figuration. Sylvester also uses abstraction as a form of visceral protection when considering the mainstream exploitation of the culture, aesthetics and bodies of Black and brown people. He refuses to depict the black body within “exploitative systems of vision”, which can alone be considered a radical act.

Photo: Maximillian William

With the End in Mind can be viewed at Maximillian William at 47 Mortimer Street, London. The exhibition is accompanied by a book designed by OK-RM, which contains a scholarly text by professor and author Ben Bowling.