Woven Roots by Taylor Thomas
March 14 – June 12, 2024
Canyon Country Community Center, 18410 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91351

The City of Santa Clarita proudly presents Taylor Thomas’ latest exhibit, “Woven Roots,” a compelling investigation into the depiction of the Black family across generations. The exhibition is on view from March 14 – June 12, 2024 at the Canyon Country Community Centre Gallery, inviting audiences to engage with Thomas’ personal exploration of her heritage and the broader narratives of Blackness in America.

In “Woven Roots,” Taylor Thomas delves into the public and private spheres of Black family representation, employing her family’s archive as a foundational element. Through the technique of collaging original photographs with materials sourced from urban landscape, such as commercial street posters, and integrating mirrors, Thomas transcends traditional portraiture. This act of liberation from the frame and the integration of disparate elements not only bridges generational divides, but also initiates a dialogue on the evolving perceptions of Black identity.

Taylor Thomas, a Chicago native, has created a nuanced approach to storytelling. Her academic background, a graduate from Amherst College with a double major in Film & Media Studies and Sociology, and her experience in the entertainment industry, have informed her critical perspective on representation. Transitioning from her role at leading institutions like Netflix and The Walt Disney Company to pursue fine arts at the California Institute of the Arts, Thomas seeks to fill the void of diversity and complexity in the portrayal of Black narratives.

How to Purchase Artwork:
For inquiries and to purchase artwork, please contact the artist directly.
Delivery will be arranged after the show ends on June 12, 2024.
Taylor Thomas | @created.by.taylor | www.createdbytaylor.squarespace.com

Q&A with Taylor Thomas

Hi Taylor, thank you for exhibiting your artwork with us at the Canyon Country Community Center. Tell us, what is your background. How did you get into art?
I got my undergraduate degree from Amherst College where I double majored in Sociology and Film & Media Studies. Post college, I worked in development at Netflix and The Walt Disney Company. After a few years of making films, I realized that I wanted to get closer to the creation of representational art. That led me to my pursuit of a MFA in Fine Art at CalArts.

What themes do you pursue in your art?
Some of the themes reflected in my work surround notions of Blackness, popular culture & entertainment, and understandings of family.

How do you usually start your pieces?
I start every piece by diving into my late grandmother’s photo archive. I find something new every time I flip through her collection of family photos, and I love how this process of discovery leads my creative practice. Whether it’s a gesture, location, or the composition within the frame, a detail in a photo will inspire me to create a new work.

Is there a specific environment or materials that are integral to your work?
I love working with found materials of all kinds – whether it’s the photos from my grandmother’s archive, commercial street posters I pull from signage around LA, or the quilts that I find at second hand stores. All of these materials have rich histories that I like to play with in my work.

What memorable responses have you had to your work? 
Since my practice is based in my family’s photo archive, the responses that mean the most to me are those from the family members that I’ve made collages of. I’m always so curious to hear what they think of the way I’ve captured them in a piece. This creative process prompts a lot of fascinating family conversations.