# Lavaughan Jenkins

URL: https://vielmetter.com/artists/lavaughan-jenkins/
Represented by Vielmetter Los Angeles

Lavaughan Jenkins is a painter, printmaker, and sculpture who investigates the palpable qualities of paint through exuberant impasto, an ingenious sense of color, and abstracted figuration. He thoroughly revels in the materiality of paint—he creates diverse mark-making by adding, scraping, and repeating luxuriant quantities of paint with a variety of tools including his hands, brushes, palette knives, Q-tips, and syringes—working and reworking the surfaces. Forms and figures emerge, and frequently spill over the edge of the canvas, pushing into the viewer’s world. Jenkins references a vocabulary from across art history, including Francisco Goya and Philip Guston’s use of paint to convey emotion, depth, and symbol.

Jenkins often centers images of Black women as icons of resilience and beauty. These women are complemented by backgrounds of patterned ivory or other gridded color arrangements. Referencing specific people in Jenkins’s life, the women–dressed in colorful attire–are accompanied by Jenkins’s talismanic figures of protection which sit in the lower corners of the canvas. These “watchers,” as he refers to them, surface and protect the memories that each canvas suggests. Most recently, Jenkins has been inspired by specific texts by James Baldwin and Nikita Gill in his Love Portal series. Like his female figure paintings, the Love Portals act as a record of moments and reminders of lost loves and past relationships. The varying color spectrums and radiating vortexes within each work are carefully calibrated in resonance with each of the painting’s specific memories, which the titles then allude to.

Lavaughan Jenkins was born in 1976 in Pensacola, Florida, and lives and works in Boston. He received a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2005. In 2019, Jenkins was awarded the James and Audrey Foster Prize by the Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston. In 2016, he was named Emerging Artist of the year at Kingston Gallery in Boston, MA, Jenkins is a recipient of the 2015 Blanche E. Colman Award and in 2002 received the Rob Moore Grant in Painting. He has exhibited his work most recently at venues such as Abigail Ogilvy Gallery (Boston), The Painting Center (NY), Suffolk University Gallery (Boston), and Oasis Gallery (Beijing). His work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston.

## Exhibitions

- [Andrea BowersLavaughan JenkinsMario JoyceRobert PruittDeborah RobertsGio SwabyKiriakos Tompolidis inIcons, Archetypes, and Portraits](https://vielmetter.com/exhibitions/icons-archetypes-and-portraits.md): November 6, 2025 — January 25, 2026 · North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks, ND · Artists: Andrea Bowers, Lavaughan Jenkins, Mario Joyce, Robert Pruitt, Gio Swaby, Deborah Roberts, Kiriakos Tompolidis
- [Lavaughan Jenkins: Love Liberates](https://vielmetter.com/exhibitions/lavaughan-jenkins-love-liberates.md): July 13 — August 23, 2024 · Gallery I · Artists: Lavaughan Jenkins
- [New Works by Lavaughan Jenkins, Mario Joyce, Raffi Kalenderian, Kiriakos Tompolidis](https://vielmetter.com/exhibitions/new-works-by-lavaughan-jenkins-mario-joyce-raffi-kalenderian-kiriakos-tompolidis.md): January 13 — March 9, 2024 · Greenhouse · Artists: Lavaughan Jenkins, Raffi Kalenderian, Mario Joyce
- [Perpetual Portrait](https://vielmetter.com/exhibitions/perpetual-portrait.md): July 8 — August 18, 2023 · Gallery I & II & III & IV · Artists: Laura Aguilar, Sadie Benning, Ellen Berkenblit, Sara Berman, Kwesi Botchway, Andrea Bowers, Kim Dingle, Nicole Eisenman, Esther Pearl Watson, Genevieve Gaignard, Karl Haendel, Lavaughan Jenkins, Raffi Kalenderian, The Estate of Pope.L, Robert Pruitt, Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Amy Sillman, John Sonsini, Nicola Tyson, Hannah van Bart, Monique van Genderen
- [Lavaughan Jenkins: Weight of Things](https://vielmetter.com/exhibitions/lavaughan-jenkins.md): September 17 — November 5, 2022 · Greenhouse · Artists: Lavaughan Jenkins

## Biography

B.F.A. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design

**Selected Solo Exhibitions**

  2026 "Misfits," Lavaughan Jenkins and Masha Keryan, Trustman Art Gallery, Simmons University, Boston, MA 2024 "Love Liberates," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 2023 "Lavaughan Jenkins: The Watcher and the Watchman," Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts at the University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL  "Lavaughan Jenkins: Edward E. Elson Artist-in-Residence," Addison Gallery of American Art, Andover, MA 2022 "Weight Of Things," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 2021 "Ms. Black America," Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, Boston, MA 2020 "Black America Again," AREA CODE Art Fair, Shelter In Place Gallery, Boston, MA  "VOLTA NYC," Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, New York, NY 2019 "Reflections of Power," Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, Spring/ Break Art Show, New York, NY 2017 "Reflections of Power," Kingston Gallery, Boston, MA 2016 "Man Walks Into A Room," Arts research collaborative gallery, Lowell, MA 2003 "Man Walks Into A Room," Beaver County Day School, Chestnut Hill, MA

**Selected Group Exhibitions**

  2026 Mary Heaton Vorse House Group Exhibition, Curated by Kate Chertavian Fine Art, Provincetown, MA (forthcoming) 2025 "Icons, Archetypes, and Portraits," North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks, ND 2024 "New Works by Lavaughan Jenkins, Mario Joyce, Raffi Kalenderian, Kiriakos Tompolidis," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 2023 "Perpetual Portrait," Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 2021 "The Salon Show, "Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, Boston, MA  "Black America," David Klein Gallery, Detroit, MI 2020 "We Are More Than a Moment," Gallery 51, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA  "Three-Person Show," Patricia Sweetow Gallery, San Francisco, CA  "Sit Still: Self-Portraits in the Age of Distraction," curated by Patty Horing and Deborah Brown, Anna Zorina Gallery, New York, NY  "Congruency," The Gallery at Prato Capital Management, White Plains, NY 2019 "Woven Profiles," Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, Boston, MA  "James and Audrey Foster Prize Exhibition," Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, MA  "HumanFigure," Hess Gallery, Pine Manor College, Newton, MA  "About Face," The Painting Center, New York, NY 2018 "Passage," Galerie C. O. A., Montreal, Canada  "Relevant," Craig Krull Gallery, Santa Monica, CA  "Fashion Forward," Kabinett Gallery, Boston, MA 2017 "People Watching," Fitchburg Art Museum, Fitchburg, MA  "Reconfigure," Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, Boston, MA  "Relay," Kingston Gallery, Boston, MA 2016 "Oh Sheets," Beehive, Boston, MA  "Nakedness," Gallery Kayafas, Boston, MA  "Future Arts Boston," Boston Center For The Arts, Boston, MA  "Establishment Assembly," Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA  "Profiles," Lens Gallery, Boston, MA  "I Know just what you are saying," Kingston Gallery, Boston, MA 2015 "ReSearch," Massachusetts College Of Art And Design, Boston, MA 2014 "The Introduction," Massachusetts College Of Art And Design, Boston, MA 2013 "Josef Bolt, Li Ning, Lavaughan Jenkins," 666 Artspace, Beijing, China 2012 "Boston vs. Beijing," Oasis Gallery, Beijing, China 2006 "Undressed," Judi Rotenberg Gallery, Cambridge, MA 2005 "Introductions," Judi Rotenberg Gallery, Cambridge, MA 2003 "Man Walks Into A Room," Beaver County Day School, Chestnut Hill, MA 2002 "Norfolk Group Exhibition," Art Barn Gallery, Yale Norfolk, CT

**Residencies, Scholarships, & Prizes**

  2023 Edward E. Elson Artist-in-Residence, Addison Gallery of American Art, Andover, MA 2022 Fine Arts Work Center Residency, Provincetown, MA 2019 James And Audrey Foster Prize 2015 Blanche E. Coleman Award  Kingston Gallery Emerging Artist (non commercial) 2002 Rob Moore Grant  Yale Norfolk Program

**Bibliography**

  2024 Stevens, M. Charlene. "Lavaughan Jenkins: Vielmetter Los Angeles," Artforum, November ([Link](https://www.artforum.com/events/mcharlene-stevens-lavaughan-jenkins-vielmetter-los-angeles-2024-1234720699/)) 2023 Salem News. "Artist in residence: Lavaughan Jenkins delivers," The Salem News, January 20 ([Link](https://www.salemnews.com/news/artist-in-residence-lavaughan-jenkins-delivers/article_5bfbe11e-91e6-11ed-aee8-c7012f1d66d1.html)) 2022 Heidenry, Rachel. "The 7 Must-See Exhibitions in California this Fall," Testudo, August 5  Greiner-Ferris, John. "Why Lavaughan Jenkins Is Not a Sculptor His work honors the women who shaped him," The Provincetown Independent, February 9  Van Der Wednde, Andre. "Three Months In, FAWC Fellows Have Been Prolific," The Provincetown Independent, Janurary 19 ([Link](https://provincetownindependent.org/arts-minds/2022/01/19/three-months-in-fawc-fellows-have-been-prolific/)) 2021 Bragg, Mary Ann. "Visual arts and writing fellows begin work at Fine Arts Work Center," WickedLocal.com, October 19 ([Link](https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/provincetown-banner/2021/10/19/fine-arts-work-center-provincetown/8437963002/))  McQuaid, Cate. "‘Miss Black America’ spotlights everyday heroines," The Boston Globe, August 12  "Coming Attractions: June 29 through July 13 — What Will Light Your Fire," Artsfuse, June 29 ([Link](https://artsfuse.org/231705/coming-attractions-june-29-through-july-13-what-will-light-your-fire/))  Record Staff. "‘New Light: Encounters and Connections’ Highlights MFA’s Collection," Chelsea Record, April 15 ([Link](https://chelsearecord.com/2021/04/15/new-light-encounters-and-connections-highlights-mfas-collection/)) 2020 Rousseau, Morgan. "‘Fall into art and design’ with Boston Design Week," Boston.com, September 26 ([Link](https://www.boston.com/culture/arts/2021/09/26/fall-into-art-and-design-with-boston-design-week/))  Rivera, Sofia. "Seven Black Boston-Based Artists on Their Work as a Form of Protest," Boston Magazine, July 1  Colby, Celina. "MFA acquires work by 24 diverse contemporary artists," The Bay State Banner, June 18 ([Link](https://www.baystatebanner.com/2020/06/18/mfa-acquires-work-by-24-diverse-contemporary-artists/))  Griffin, Grace. "Museum of Fine Arts will grow its contemporary art collection," The Boston Globe, May 29  Schultz, Abby. "Visitors Head to New York Art Fairs Amid Coronavirus Concerns," Barrons, March 9 ([Link](https://www.barrons.com/articles/visitors-head-to-new-york-art-fairs-amid-coronavirus-concerns-01583775828))  Nesvet, Nancy. "OFF THE PIER: SPACE AND LIGHT: VOLTA 2020," artscope, March 9 ([Link](https://artscopemagazine.com/2020/03/off-the-pier-space-and-light-volta-2020/))  YRB Editorial. "VOLTA Returns to New York for 2020 Edition @voltashow #voltanewyork2020," YRB Mag, March 6 ([Link](https://yrbmag.com/volta-returns-to-new-york-for-2020-edition-voltashow-voltanewyork2020/))  Small, Zachary. "After Scrapping Its 2019 Edition, Volta Art Fair Relaunches Its New York Event with a Focus on the Positive," ARTnews, February 7 ([Link](https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/volta-2020-new-york-exhibitor-list-1202677371/))  Brandt, Stace. "Jenkins Lavaughan," Art New England, January 1 2019 Burno, Christian. "5 Things To Do This Weekend, From Dolly Parton To Contemporary Art," WBUR Local Coverage, December 12 ([Link](https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/12/12/weekend-dolly-parton-urbano-project-contemporary-art))  Andor Brodeur, Michael. "White whales, experimental operas, fabulous prizes, and Santas in Speedos," The Boston Globe, December 12 ([Link](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2019/12/13/arts/white-whales-experimental-operas-fabulous-prizes-santas-speedos/))  "The ticket: What's happening in the local arts world," The Boston Globe, December 12 ([Link](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2019/12/13/arts/ticket-whats-happening-local-arts-world/))  Whyte, Murray. " At The ICA’s 2019 Foster Prize Exhibition, an Artist Breaks Out With ‘A Father’s Lullaby," The Boston Globe, December 5 ([Link](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2019/12/05/arts/icas-2019-foster-prize-exhibition-an-artist-breaks-out-with-fathers-lullaby/))  Duffy, Hayley. "James And Audrey Foster Prize Exhibit At ICA Celebrates Local Artists," The Heights, October 20 ([Link](https://www.bcheights.com/2019/10/20/james-and-audrey-foster-prize-exhibit-at-ica-celebrates-local-artists/))  Gorelick, Rusty. "Your Guide to a Fun-Filled Labor Day Weekend," BU Today, August 29 ([Link](https://www.bu.edu/articles/2019/labor-day-weekend-boston/))  Reynolds, Pamela. "Artist Lavaughan Jenkins Is Doing What He Loves And People Are Loving It Too," WBUR The Artery, August 15 ([Link](https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/08/15/lavaughan-jenkins-ica))  Reynolds, Pamela. "Here Are The Museum And Gallery Exhibitions To See This Summer," WBUR The Artery, May 28 ([Link](https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/05/28/visual-art-museum-gallery-boston-summer-guide))  Rodney, Seph. "This Year, the Spring/Break Art Show Is Less Fanciful but Still Worth It," Hyperallergic, March 8 ([Link](https://hyperallergic.com/488708/this-year-the-spring-break-art-show-is-less-fanciful-but-still-worth-it/))  McMahon, Katherine. "A Look Around the 2019 Spring/Break Art Show," ARTnews, March 5 ([Link](https://www.artnews.com/art-news/market/tour-spring-break-art-show-12055/)) 2018 Brown, Lillian. "ICA announces 2019 Foster Prize winners," October 19 ([Link](https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2018/10/18/ica-announces-foster-prize-winners/4YewRCvWpgOC6BOZQPo8wM/story.html)) 2017 "The Ticket: What's happening in the arts world," The Boston Globe, September 22 ([Link](https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2017/09/21/the-ticket-what-happening-arts-world/Mb2UG7rcnr4bNF1QM2OoWJ/story.html))  Kiers, Olivia. "Neither Forbidden nor Forgotten: Ariel Basson Freiberg & Lavaughan Jenkins," Big Red and Shiny, September 19 ([Link](http://bigredandshiny.org/36210/neither-forbidden-nor-forgotten-ariel-basson-freiberg-lavaughan-jenkins/))  Seven, John. "Oil Paintings Enter a New Dimension," The TAKE Magazine, September 9 ([Link](https://thetakemagazine.com/lavaughan-jenkins-artist/))  "Reconfigure," Metro Boston, pg 11, August 31 ([Link](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55968197e4b06639d23d7823/t/59acb479cd0f687db8ee58f1/1504490622306/Metro_Boston.pdf))

**Public Collections**

   Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, Boston, MA  Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, La Jolla, CA  Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Boston, MA  North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks, ND  Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM), Provincetown, MA  Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ