About

A “social expressionist” whose art has been described as both spiritual and visionary, Purvis Young (1943-2010) was a self-taught African-American artist who drew inspiration from the urban subculture––specifically, the decaying neighborhood of Overtown, Miami, where he lived and worked. An astute observer of street life in this once prosperous community (formerly known as the “Harlem of the South”), Young created idiosyncratic works of art on found materials––ranging from discarded pieces of wood, carpet scraps, and pieces of fabric to table tops and castoff books­­––which he painted and …