Tyrone Don’t Surf

Tyrone Don’t Surf
On view: April 14- May 6, 2018
Second Saturday Reception: April 14, 6-10pm
Daily hours: Tuesday through Sunday 12-5
Exhibition:
Tyrone Don’t Surf is a first hand glance into the complexity of the black man surfing. Like hiking, the idea of “Tyrone,” the fictional black man, taking part in surfing is not only rare cultural activity it becomes taboo because it is perceived as being innately white. Surfing is the starting point for a broader conversation about cultural conditioning of the black body in America.

Devin Reynolds was born in Santa Monica, California in 1991. He spent his childhood splitting his time between his mother Jeanie’s flea market booths, surfing, skating and fishing. Since the age of thirteen Devin has worked as a deck hand and called the sport fishing vessel the “Betty O” his second home. While studying architecture at Tulane University, Devin began exploring art through printmaking and sign painting. Recently Devin was awarded best in show for the 2017 Louisiana Contemporary at the Ogden Museum and completed a summer Residency at the Joan Mitchell Foundation. His current studio practice combines his experience as a graffiti writer and sign painter with mid-century advertisement and American history to understand the creation of the “black body” in America.