WHAT? Noah Davis 

WHERE? Barbican Art Gallery, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS

WHEN? Now until 11th May

WHY GO? For a roller coaster of emotions.  More than an artist, the late American painter Noah Davis was revered for bringing art to his local community in Los Angeles by founding the Underground Museum in 2012.  The small cultural centre, which was free for all, inspired working-class African-Americans who had little or no previous associations with art.

This exhibition is the first to survey his life’s work and it reveals a talented, dedicated artist and man with a beautiful philanthropic heart.  

Davis, born in 1983, was first and foremost an artist, having memorably declared that “painting does something to your soul that nothing else can”.

He felt a responsibility to represent the people around him.  Consequently his paintings focus on the ups and downs of everyday life and personal scenarios, none more poignant than an enigmatic dark portrait of his father when he was very ill, painted just before he died. 

Sadly he was to follow suit shortly after, passing away of cancer at the age of 32 in 2015. 

Davis left a legacy of visionary paintings and collages that represented contemporary Black life in all its majesty, joy and despair and this wonderful exhibition proudly does justice to his 'all too short' life’s achievements.

IN THE KNOW  Find out more about the man behind the artist.  There are numerous gallery talks associated with the exhibition including an excellent free exhibition online tour.

Every Thursday from 5-8pm the gallery provides a ‘pay what you can’ initiative for entry to the exhibition.