Work inspired by sources as diverse as childhood finger puppets and the monsters of James Ensor’s paintings
Published to accompany American artist Wes Lang’s first UK exhibition, The Black Paintings features stunning reproductions of 96 paintings and 96 drawings made between 2022 and 2024, along with striking visuals of Lang at work in his studio. The catalog vividly demonstrates the breadth of Lang’s inspiration, drawing from fine art heroes such as Francis Bacon, Francisco Goya and Alfred Munnings, as well as the kitsch imagery of his childhood. Lang (born 1972) masterfully blends these influences to create his distinctive and deeply personal style. Unique otherworldly characters—skeletons and disembodied skulls—are set against dark and obscured backgrounds or lush landscapes. The works on paper feature these same characters, but set against the blank white space of the page, embedded in intricately inscribed scenes with playful expressions and phrases that echo Taoist philosophy, reflecting the spiritual beliefs that drive Lang’s practice.
"Cloud" (2023) is from 'Wes Lang: The Black Paintings,' published by Heni Publishing.
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Whether it’s Halloween or Day of the Dead that you celebrate, you can’t do better than Wes Lang: The Black Paintings, published by Heni. “Something grabbed me about the skull when I was in elementary school and it was so inexplicable to me,” Lang is quoted by essayist Wallace Ludel. “It was like they were talking to me immediately and I just couldn’t let it go. I don’t want to call it an obsession because it wasn’t unhealthy, but I had to keep exploring it and coming back to it.… I keep following it and it keeps providing new insights. The skulls in these works are so alive, there’s so much happening and they’re living and moving through these different worlds and scenes. I see them as fully functioning, realized beings.” Pictured here, “Coronation” (2023). continue to blog
FORMAT: Hbk, 9.5 x 11 in. / 284 pgs / 224 color. LIST PRICE: U.S. $99.95 LIST PRICE: CANADA $149.95 ISBN: 9781911736004 PUBLISHER: HENI Publishing AVAILABLE: 2/25/2025 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Active AVAILABILITY: In stock TERRITORY: NA ONLY
Published by HENI Publishing. Text by Wallace Ludel. Interview by James Fox.
Work inspired by sources as diverse as childhood finger puppets and the monsters of James Ensor’s paintings
Published to accompany American artist Wes Lang’s first UK exhibition, The Black Paintings features stunning reproductions of 96 paintings and 96 drawings made between 2022 and 2024, along with striking visuals of Lang at work in his studio. The catalog vividly demonstrates the breadth of Lang’s inspiration, drawing from fine art heroes such as Francis Bacon, Francisco Goya and Alfred Munnings, as well as the kitsch imagery of his childhood. Lang (born 1972) masterfully blends these influences to create his distinctive and deeply personal style. Unique otherworldly characters—skeletons and disembodied skulls—are set against dark and obscured backgrounds or lush landscapes. The works on paper feature these same characters, but set against the blank white space of the page, embedded in intricately inscribed scenes with playful expressions and phrases that echo Taoist philosophy, reflecting the spiritual beliefs that drive Lang’s practice.
