Slick
Artist
Barkley L. Hendricks
(American, 1945 - 2017)
Date1977
MediumOil, acrylic, and Magna (acrylic resin paint) on canvas
Dimensions67 × 48 1/2 in. (170.2 × 123.2 cm)
Overall, Frame: 68 1/2 × 50 1/2 × 3 1/4 in. (174 × 128.3 × 8.3 cm)
Overall, Frame: 68 1/2 × 50 1/2 × 3 1/4 in. (174 × 128.3 × 8.3 cm)
ClassificationsContemporary art
Credit LineGift of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, New York
Object number78.62
Terms
- Man
- Barkley Hendricks
- Self-portrait
- Portrait
- African-American Artist
- White
- Brown
- Gold
- Black
Collections
On View
On viewLabel TextBarkley L. Hendricks American, 1945 - 2017 Slick, 1977 Oil, acrylic, and Magna (acrylic resin paint) on canvas “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. Gift of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, New York 78.62
Pair/Pair