Drawing from everyday experience, art history, and contemporary fashion, Jenkins' 3D paintings call for close inspection. Carefully developing the works from small strokes of oil paint, Jenkins pays attention to texture, color and forms on all sides – truly sculpting a painting in space. The words of Jenkins' grandmother played an integral role in the artist's recent work, as did songs by Bill Withers and Aretha Franklin. Though specific references may be felt, Jenkins shies away from one reading and welcomes the memories and stories of others to create new narratives.


"The pieces demand you take notice and listen to what they have to say. These figures are a moment for us to reflect on ourselves. Loudly they tell you their story, "black reality." My figures are black people being black people. When I'm making these figures I'm not thinking about one specific person or moment - it's an accumulative moment. Not having a specific connection allows myself and the viewers to find ourselves in the works." - Lavaughan Jenkins