Photo By Gail

Jarvis Boyland’s sensitive paintings conjure feelings of intimacy and leisure. In Pop Out (2019) — the title being a Chicago-based expression for hanging out — the artist depicts himself standing alongside an artist friend, both dressed in lustrous outfits and meeting the viewer’s gaze. The stand in a lived-in space with arms interlocked, exuding a familiarity that confirms their comfort in each other’s presence. It is as much a portrait of their relationship as it is of them as individuals, echoing Borland’s broader portrayals of queer Black people in domestic settings.

Photographed in the Brooklyn Museum as Part of the Exhibit Giants: Art From The Dean Collection.