Titus Kaphar: The Fire This Time | Gagosian Quarterly

Why It Matters

The exhibition translates Baldwin’s warning into visual form, prompting audiences and institutions to confront America’s racial legacy and consider art’s power to inspire determined social transformation.

Key Takeaways

• Kaphar draws title from James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time”
• He uses tar to transform negative connotations into aesthetic depth
• New “drawer paintings” mimic film’s three‑act narrative on canvas
• Determination, not hope, is presented as essential for societal change
• Kaphar’s work links personal saints to collective healing and forgiveness

Summary

The video features artist Titus Kaphar discussing his Gagosian Quarterly exhibition “The Fire This Time,” a title he borrowed from James Baldwin’s seminal essay to frame contemporary racial tensions in America.

Kaphar explains how his practice has evolved—from early tar works that invoked the derogatory “tar baby” to a celebration of the material’s viscosity and deep black hue—mirroring the shifting perception of Black identity. He also recounts his recent foray into wood carving and filmmaking, noting how the three‑act structure of cinema informs his new “drawer paintings,” which reveal hidden narratives layer by layer.

“Hope may be scarce, but determination is essential,” Kaphar asserts, emphasizing that the exhibition’s subjects embody resolve rather than optimism. He cites his film “Exhibiting Forgiveness” and the saints he honors—family and friends—as personal anchors that guide his artistic inquiry.

By linking personal healing to collective history, Kaphar positions art as a catalyst for dialogue on systemic injustice, urging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and pursue change. The exhibition thus reinforces the role of contemporary art in shaping public discourse around race and reconciliation.

Original Description

On the occasion of his exhibition "The Fire This Time" at Gagosian, Paris, Titus Kaphar explores themes of history, representation, and collective memory in his recent paintings and hand-carved wood sculptures: https://on.gagosian.com/4lcr1P3

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Artwork © Titus Kaphar; video: Pushpin Films

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