Purvis Young "Walking on the World" Mixed-Media Assemblage on Found Wood

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Purvis Young "Walking on the World" Mixed-Media Assemblage on Found Wood

A compelling and deeply symbolic mixed-media assemblage by celebrated … Read more Purvis Young "Walking on the World" Mixed-Media Assemblage on Found Wood

A compelling and deeply symbolic mixed-media assemblage by celebrated Miami artist Purvis Young (1943–2010), created from found wood, canvas, paint, and salvaged carpet fragments. Characteristic of Young's visionary practice, the work transforms humble discarded materials into a powerful meditation on resilience, movement, and the human spirit.

At the center of the composition stands a solitary figure balancing atop a vivid blue sphere, interpreted as the world itself. Rather than depicting a literal scene, Young presents a universal allegory of life's journey—an individual navigating uncertainty while moving forward with determination and hope. The figure appears suspended between earth and sky, surrounded by energetic brushwork in yellow, blue, green, and black, colors that evoke sunlight, spiritual illumination, and the rhythms of urban life.

The incorporation of worn carpet remnants is particularly significant. Throughout his career, Young scavenged materials from Miami's historic Overtown neighborhood, incorporating fragments of everyday life into his art. These textured elements serve as both physical and symbolic foundations, grounding the work in the lived experiences of the community while elevating the composition into the realm of metaphor and memory.

Young's works are represented in major museum collections throughout the United States and are celebrated for their emotional honesty, spiritual depth, and uniquely American visual language. This intimate assemblage exemplifies the artist's ability to transform found objects into poetic narratives of perseverance and transcendence.

Signed upper left.

Work: 16" H x 16" W
Frame: 18" H x 18" W

Presented in a later carved black wood frame. A strong and highly personal example of Purvis Young's celebrated mixed-media oeuvre. See less