Between Worlds: The Art of Bill Traylor

by Leslie Umberger, Stephanie Stebich (Foreword), Kerry James Marshall (Introduction)

A major new look at the work of one of America’s foremost self-taught artists

Bill Traylor (ca. 1853–1949) came to art-making on his own and found his creative voice without guidance; today he is remembered as a renowned American artist. Traylor was born into slavery on an Alabama plantation, and his experiences spanned multiple worlds―black and white, rural and urban, old and new―as well as the crucibles that indelibly shaped America―the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the Great Migration. Between Worlds presents an unparalleled look at the work of this enigmatic and dazzling artist, who blended common imagery with arcane symbolism, narration with abstraction, and personal vision with the beliefs and folkways of his time.

Traylor was about twelve when the Civil War ended. After six more decades of farm labor, he moved, aging and alone, into segregated Montgomery. In the last years of his life, he drew and painted works depicting plantation memories and the rising world of African American culture. Upon his death he left behind over a thousand pieces of art. Between Worlds convenes 205 of his most powerful creations, including a number that have been previously unpublished. This beautiful and carefully researched book assesses Traylor’s biography and stylistic development, and for the first time interprets his scenes as ongoing narratives, conveying enduring, interrelated themes.

Between Worlds reveals one man’s visual record of African American life as a window into the overarching story of his nation.

Published in association with the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Genres: Art, Biography, History

448 pages, Hardcover

Published October 2, 2018

Reviews

[Joele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meticulously researched volume but very readable art text that shows the complexities and challenges of 19th and 20th century African Americans. Umberger diligently pursued the often dead-end roads following the story of Traylor whose story was left untold by deliberate omission of record keeping for blacks in the South. Despite her challenges Umberger gives us as clear a picture as possible of Traylor's life and unique stories from the two centuries in which he lived. Hurrah for her sharing of a life that might easily have been obscured.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traylor is one of the great figures in 20th-century American art, full stop. This imposing volume accompanies an exhibition of the same name at SAAM, which I was fortunate enough to see. If you have any interest at all in Traylor, American art, self-taught art, African-American history, or creativity in general, I'd highly recommend this book.

[Cail Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this out of the library and spent my time looking at all of Bill Traylor's art. It's captivating in a strange, curious way.

The library required this book back before I could get into the extensive essays. This is a beautifully crafted book with a wild amount of detail and insight into Traylor's life and work. Highly recommended.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intensely researched look at Bill Traylor and his life, as well as many illustrations of his work. The context of Traylor's work as a Black artist is thoughtfully considered by artist Kerry James Marshall.

[Jonah Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

***** for the art and reproductions of the incredible Bill Traylor’s work. However, I was underwhelmed by the essays and attempts to put his work in context.