Leonard Baby's artwork reveals insights into his past as a member of a fundamentalist religious group, a decade since his departure from the church.
New York Artist Leonard Baby's Exhibition 'The Babys' Delves into Personal Narrative
Leonard Baby's latest exhibition, titled "The Babys" at Half Gallery in Manhattan, offers a compelling exploration of queerness and femininity within evangelical households. This body of work, which is both bold and provocative, showcases Baby's nuanced perspective on these intersections[1].
Baby, a rising star in the art world and part of a new generation of influential artists under 30, has been gaining attention both nationally and internationally[1]. His work, which is contemporary and relevant, is now on view at Half Gallery until 24 April 2025.
The exhibition features a variety of portraits, including domestic scenes of Baby's sisters, a nude study of his boyfriend, and Baby's very first self-portrait. These pieces are inspired by diverse sources, such as the song "Venus as a Boy" by Björk, lowbrow pop culture like The Kardashians and The Princess Diaries, and even classical artists like Edgar Degas[1].
One of the most striking pieces in the series is Baby's self-portrait, which is also the most confronting. This work, titled "Lucretia as a Boy", includes a suicide note on the wall borrowed from Virginia Woolf, and it serves as a powerful expression of Baby's struggles with mental health and emotional scars from his repressive upbringing[1].
In addition to his self-portrait, the exhibition includes a painting of Baby's twin, Sophie, which features a magazine clipping of the late music producer SOPHIE and an image of the Twin Towers. Another notable piece is the portrait of Baby's younger sister, which depicts Lana Del Rey appearing like a Madonna figure[1].
The exhibition also includes a painting inspired by the story of Lucretia and an Edgar Degas-inspired sculpture work. These pieces further demonstrate Baby's ability to blend personal narrative with cultural critique, creating a unique and thought-provoking exhibition[1].
Baby gathered his sisters at their mother's home in Tennessee to stage compositions inspired by religious masterpieces and the controversial works of Balthus. This process allowed him to explore and challenge the suppression of queerness and femininity in evangelical households[1].
Throughout his work, Baby has drawn on the language of cinema, plucking compositions from auteurs like Jean-Luc Godard and Robert Bresson. This cinematic influence is evident in the exhibition, adding another layer of depth and complexity to Baby's exploration of gender and spirituality[1].
In an interview, Baby expressed that exploring these subjects is comforting for him. He hopes to dispel shame around mental health and emotional scars from repressive upbringings with this self-portrait and the rest of the exhibition[1].
[1] - Information sourced from various online resources and search results.
Leonard Baby's exhibition, 'The Babys', extends beyond the realm of art, delving into his personal lifestyle, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth, as he explores and challenges the suppression of queerness and femininity in evangelical households. Fashion-and-beauty influences, such as pop culture, Björk, and even classic artists like Edgar Degas, have seeped into Baby's contemporary and relevant fashion-and-beauty-inspired artwork on display at Half Gallery, fostering an intriguing juxtaposition between past and present.
