Taylor Bamgbose is an Indianapolis-based creative with a love for combining her passions into art. She’s a painter, writer, and certified life coach whose artwork employs themes of inner exploration and reflection. Bamgbose hadn’t set out with intentions to become an artist but quickly fell in love with the practice after purchasing some supplies in 2019. Since then, she has released collections titled State of Mind and Verses alongside a collection of digital art. Most recently, Bamgbose has been preparing for her upcoming exhibition titled Deal With It, which debuts at Lost Dog Gallery this month on September 9th. This collection consists of pairs of paintings that explore the strategies used to handle the big emotions that happen in life. PATTERN wanted the details on this show, so we sat down with Bamgbose to chat and learn all about it!
Katie Freeman: What was the inspiration behind your upcoming exhibition, Deal With It?
Taylor Bamgbose: In 2020, I went through a year-long process to get certified [in] life coaching. For me, psychology has always been a big passion. It’s been all the books I’ve read and the conversations I have with people. That has naturally flowed into my work. I started that last year with a collection called State of Mind, which explores the nuances of the emotions, feelings, and moods we experience in our daily lives.
This year, I wanted to take that a step further and say “When we recognize that we’re experiencing a big emotion, how do we deal with that? And is that something that’s enhancing our life, or is it holding us back?” I’m creating pairs of paintings where one will explore something that makes us feel better in the short term, but might not be helping long term. Then, what would it look like to take that same situation and approach it from a healthier, long-term healing perspective?
KF: One of your goals for this collection is to create a space for reflection. How do you achieve this?
TB: I create pretty extensive art tags that go with a piece to explain where it’s coming from. I’ll inject a couple of questions into that tag that help guide that reflection. I want it to be a space where people can walk around and go, “Okay, what am I seeing here? How does that make me feel? Is there anything that I’m resonating with in this piece? Is there anything that I want to change about how I’m currently approaching this or not?” It’s nice to have that space to check in with yourself.
KF: You brought some pieces into the PATTERN office today! Are there any that are particularly meaningful to you?
TB: Whatever Takes the Edge Off and Sit With It. This is something I think a lot of people will resonate with. When we’re experiencing an emotion that makes us uncomfortable, our tendency is to go “I guess I’ll do something to numb this,” or “I’m gonna distract myself in any possible way.” So we’ve got the phone, we’ve got TV, got substances and all kinds of food.
A different take on that same situation is to sit with it. Learn how to process it in your body, to locate it within you to say, “What is this trying to tell me?” and to let the tension exist until it dissipates. It’s a real challenge for people.
KF: How do you see your work as an artist evolving from collection to collection?
TB: The first major collection I did was called Verses. It’s my biggest collection. I have almost 45 paintings in that collection. All the paintings were inspired by poetry. I love combining art forms and being inspired by other art forms. So as I was on Instagram, I’m like, “Man, it’s amazing what people can do with so few words, these short little punchy poems.” Some people criticize it, but I disagree because I think having those moments where you’re casually scrolling and something just punches you in the gut is awesome. And that inspired me, what it would look like to visually represent that. That was a lot of fun. People really connected with that series and I still add to it here and there when I find something I want to do. But I think moving into State of Mind and now Deal With It is getting closer to the guiding theme of my life and how I find myself situated between what I’m passionate about and what helps people. It’s more unique to me as a person. I’m getting more authentic as I go.
KF: What is something you learned while creating this new collection?
TB: It’s shown me how many different ways we avoid ourselves, how easy it is to do without even noticing, and how it takes such intention to really process emotion in a healthy way. Our lives are much better and calmer and less dramatic and more satisfying [when] we start to undertake that journey. I think we’re never finished with that kind of work. Looking at my own work has helped reinforce to me [that] this is what I’m aiming for. I won’t always do it perfectly. Sometimes I’ll get triggered and go on a spiral or be scared of how I’m feeling and watch Netflix for a while. None of those things are bad things, but we have the power to choose a different, healthier choice. It’s about finding the right balance between those things.
This is not any judgmental thing, but more “Am I noticing any patterns that I want to change? How is this currently working for me? Is there something I want to do differently or am I content with the way that I’m balancing my emotional body? I think one of the biggest determinants of our success and happiness in life is our ability to manage our emotions. The conversations I’ve already started having with people have been really gratifying. I already sold a couple of pieces from the show. One of the women—she bought Sit With It—texted me the next day like, “I’m so excited to have this piece in my house. I found myself thinking about this painting and it encouraged me to not get too reactive and just notice how I’m feeling.” That feels like the culmination of everything I’m working towards as an artist, making things people keep in their homes that are touch points for growing in self-awareness.
KF: What are the details for your upcoming show?
TB: Deal With It will open with a reception on Friday, September 9th from 5-9 p.m. at Lost Dog Gallery (1040 E. New York Street). It’s a free event, and there will be food and drinks. Kids are welcome, and there’s free street parking around the gallery.
After the opening, the show will be up and available to view by appointment until the closing reception from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, September 30th. To make an appointment, email Bamgbose (taylor@taylorbamgbose.com) to set up a private viewing.
KF: What are some other ways people can connect with you or your work?
TB: Here are a few ways to engage with me:
- Follow on Instagram: @taylorbamgbose
- Join the Collector’s List for a monthly update and free print giveaway: taylorbamgbose.com/collectors-list
- Shop original art: taylorbamgbose.com/shop/original-art
- Shop fine art prints: taylorbamgbose.com/shop/fine-art-prints
- Commission a custom painting: https://www.taylorbamgbose.com/commissions
