Taylar Sanders, “Grounding” (2025), oil on canvas, 24 x 30”
“Taylar Sanders: The Emotional Spectrum: A Black Palette” at the ArtsKC Gallery in the Crossroads and Claude Harris III’s “Mythical and Melanated,” curated by Aisha Imani Sanaa in the Ruby Jean’s Art Hall at the Ruby Jean’s Kitchen & Juicery on Troost both present the viewer with masterful, yet deeply introspective, paintings that emanate empathy, sincerity and humanity.
While each is an independent individual exhibition, I found that going from one to the other and viewing both felt like going from an exploration of inner joy to an exploration of outer joy.
The oil paintings of Taylar Sanders, a military veteran and current Charlotte Street resident, are luminescent. Her figurative portraiture glows both on a technical level and an emotional one. In “I Come in Peace,” which depicts a young Black man enraptured by the aroma of vibrant flowers, Sanders applies her paint in a smooth and consistent manner. Her disciplined usage of lighting comes into play in her use of varying degrees of chiaroscuro that leave her subjects with a strong sense of earthiness illuminated by an ethereal glow.
In her exhibition statement, Sanders states, “The last few years have been some of the most rewarding and challenging years of my life. These contrasting experiences and their complexity and depth of emotion are reflected in the paintings. My art and healing journeys have taught me how to acknowledge, express and release emotions. This exhibition is intended to serve as a safe space for viewers to do the same. A space to feel seen, heard and unified by the common thread of emotion depicted.”
“Enrichment,” a 40” x 30” painting, examines this complexity and depth of emotion through the depiction of a woman braiding a man’s hair while he studies. Here, Sanders speaks to the often- uncelebrated endearing nature of Black relationships. Her usage of gentle shading and neutral tones gives the work a sentimental feel while the restrained lighting speaks to the private nature of the Black interior, where everyday actions of love and dedication are not privy for public consumption but kept close to the vest for internal gratification.
The acrylic paintings of Claude Harris III, a public services worker and working artist, are magical. His work is both externally and internally visionary, both a feast for the eyes and a meal for the soul. Harris uses vibrant colors and detailed strokes to take the viewer into a magical world of Black fairies, mermaids, superheroes and royalty. The sea plays a prominent role in his works, providing the setting for paintings that capture the storytelling feel of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Fairies, mythical beings from European folklore, are associated with magical powers and healing properties. By presenting Black women as fairies in such exquisite detail, Harris plays homage to the idea of the empowered Black feminine and her ability to transfigure whatever environment she is placed in.
“Nesting,” a 20 x 16” painting by Harris, presents a Black fairy with long braided hair and glowing pink and green wings on a lily pad. She is surrounded by lanterns filled with smaller, glowing fairies. They appear under the canopy of a starry deep blue sky and surrounded by luscious plants painted in shimmering green. The painting itself feels like a portal into a world ruled by love, joy, pleasure and leisure. It speaks to joy without, joy eternal, the joy we have no internal control over but hope to experience. It speaks.
While both exhibitions stand on their own merit, I would suggest visiting both in one day. Solo exhibitions by Black artists on both sides of Troost don’t happen often. But, when they happen, they are special. And these exhibitions are special.
“Taylar Sanders: The Emotional Spectrum: A Black Palette” continues at the ArtsKC Gallery, 106 Southwest Blvd., through Nov. 30. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and by appointment. For more information, 816.221.1777 or artskc.org/the-artskc-gallery/.
“Claude Harris III: Mythical and Melanated” continues at Ruby Jean’s Art Hall, 3000 Troost Ave., through Nov. 30. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. For more information, 816.321.1440 or rubyjeansjuicery.com.
