Today’s Studio Sunday artist is Kerry James Marshall. Marshall was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and grew up in South Central Los Angeles. The artist is known for paintings that address themes of racism and civil rights in America, with stark, black figures often featuring prominently.

Marshall’s studio in the above image looks busy and rather bright – a classic contemporary painting studio. The artist is pictured sitting among his works, which are numerous, crowded into every corner of the space and hanging along the walls.

Check out at all those brushes lined up at the table in from of Marshall! It looks like he has every conceivable size and shape, and they probably all get used extensively. It’s always satisfying and inspiring to see a studio that’s so well-stocked with supplies. The remainder of the table is covered in paper, drawing materials, and other objects that could be sketches or references for future paintings.

It looks as though the larger paintings lined up toward the back of the studio behind Marshall are all on wheeled easels. That would make for great versatility within the studio space, to be able to have five or six large works on the go, and just move them around on the floor whenever you required more space.

Marshall is currently based in Chicago, Illinois, where he spent some time teaching at the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois. His works are included in numerous collections and have been featured in retrospectives at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and at the Met Breuer in New York.

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