Two animals have locked their long horns in a fight which is reaching its resolution. The two forces are the same but in opposition, both wanting the same thing: happiness and a hopeful future. They fight against a cosmic background of circles within circles, arcs of relationship, prismatic openings, wheels of time. Fighting is basic to our world, but when the fight is over, the opposite forces come together and create a field of understanding.
Inks on burnished paper, 60in x 36in, 2024
A blazing arena of yellow light, GLEAM radiates with the artist's expression of eternal hope. Hands rising in gratitude, holding onto a vine for growth, blue morning glories showering their light beauty, horns for strength combine with a rising interaction of globes large and small. This is the first painting where figural elements were introduced by the artist after decades of making only abstract pieces.
Ink and oil on wood panel, 48in x 36in, 2023
Tayo predicts the arrival of a cosmic force coming to save us! Yellow light shimmers across a beautiful light-filled body of water, the blues and yellows moving into clouds and sky, and then into a night sky of glistening stars. Two golden rings intersect in a hovering dance. Mariner's navigation instruments are placed symmetrically.
Ink, 24k gold leaf on wood panel, 48in x 36in x 3in, 2023
The central point is an opening that comes from inside, that represents some sort of hope. As spring springs from the inside, the cosmos absorbs and commands it in a most rhythmically elegant order. Such refined dignity is evoked by the Equinox, the crossing of the celestial equator and the ecliptic twice a year. This painting also reflects the chakras and composition of the human body.
Ink on burnished paper, 82in x 37.5in, 2012
A Japanese landscape behind a tower of perfectly rendered circles, spears, flags, compasses, and diamonds mirroring themselves. Very subtle veil shapes emerge in a precise geometry. The colors were inspired by the Southwestern desert at night. The artist emphasizes that all of her vertical drawings are looking up from the earth.
Ink on hand burnished paper, 80in x 39in, 2023
The central diamond is a point of understanding between various cosmic interplays, conjunctions, and relationships. We have a defender! Almost like chakras, the center heart, the top brain, movement goes on in your body and mind opening into other worlds, places in the sky. Tayo speaks of the constant conversation she has inside, and the cosmic powers that talk to her.
Inks on hand burnished paper, 79in x 40in, 2017
Tayo envisions her inner world looking up at the soft blue-grey sky on a cloudy day where supreme beings live. The geometry she uses seems inside of her, and the constructions are often done in a sort of trance which she doesn't remember. A huge influence was growing up in Muslim countries where one is surrounded by patterns of all kinds all the time, the patterns "entering" her. The lines are like threads, fine as hair, done with a steel nib with which, as a child in Africa, she learned to write with ink. The Dorgi is a Tibetan liturgical instrument which is gracefully moved in meditation and prayer.
Inks on hand burnished paper, 80in x 41in, 2015
A collection of seven circular paintings float beautifully, evoking our etherial sky dome overhead. One writer comments that Vespers seemingly reflects the infinite reverberations of a struck gong. Tayo says "This work strives to cross the vast silent ether between us and the arched dome above us. Looking up into the sky I feel weightless, not only physically but also my thoughts are freed of burdens and join the echoed silence of infinite space." The finest lines of soft blues, whites, and grays wisp and track through the airy heavens. An occasional golden tear appears, little sculptures of 24 karat gold, which were inspired by a medieval Madonna and Child painting.
Gofun paint on translucent Japanese paper mounted to clear acrylic, 24K gold leaf on handmade epoxy drops, 12ft x 10ft x 3in, 2021
QUIVERS is about life's journey, rowing with oars, stepping up ladders, spinning in circles like in a game of roulette. The journey begins with the sun rising between mountains at the bottom. To the right a figure watches, looking from afar at the various arenas encountered, contemplating the daggers and arrows that are shot at one through life, and moving from place to place often unknowingly. References are to challenges, obstacle courses, pain, bright spots and joy.
Ink and oil on wood panel, 48in x 19in x 1.5in, 2022
This series of small paper works were made in 2012 during a BAU Institute residency, when Tayo occupied a monk's room in an old monastery in Otranto, Italy. The translucent paper was handmade at Dieu Donne in New York. Contrasting soft and hard, Tayo worked the images from both sides with ink and colored pencil. As with her other geometrical constructions, the images "just appeared" to her.
Ink and pencil on both sides of transparent, handmade abaca paper, 11in x 8.5in, 2012.
This series of small paper works were made in 2012 during a BAU Institute residency, when Tayo occupied a monk's room in an old monastery in Otranto, Italy. The translucent paper was handmade at Dieu Donne in New York. Contrasting soft and hard, Tayo worked the images from both sides with ink and colored pencil. As with her other geometrical constructions, the images "just appeared" to her.
Ink and pencil on both sides of transparent, handmade abaca paper, 11in x 8.5in, 2012.
This series of small paper works were made in 2012 during a BAU Institute residency, when Tayo occupied a monk's room in an old monastery in Otranto, Italy. The translucent paper was handmade at Dieu Donne in New York. Contrasting soft and hard, Tayo worked the images from both sides with ink and colored pencil. As with her other geometrical constructions, the images "just appeared" to her.
Ink and pencil on both sides of transparent, handmade abaca paper, 11in x 8.5in, 2012.
This series of small paper works were made in 2012 during a BAU Institute residency, when Tayo occupied a monk's room in an old monastery in Otranto, Italy. The translucent paper was handmade at Dieu Donne in New York. Contrasting soft and hard, Tayo worked the images from both sides with ink and colored pencil. As with her other geometrical constructions, the images "just appeared" to her.
Ink and pencil on both sides of transparent, handmade abaca paper, 11in x 8.5in, 2012
This series of small paper works were made in 2012 during a BAU Institute residency, when Tayo occupied a monk's room in an old monastery in Otranto, Italy. The translucent paper was handmade at Dieu Donne in New York. Contrasting soft and hard, Tayo worked the images from both sides with ink and colored pencil. As with her other geometrical constructions, the images "just appeared" to her.
Ink and pencil on both sides of transparent, handmade abaca paper, 11in x 8.5in, 2012
This series of small paper works were made in 2012 during a BAU Institute residency, when Tayo occupied a monk's room in an old monastery in Otranto, Italy. The translucent paper was handmade at Dieu Donne in New York. Contrasting soft and hard, Tayo worked the images from both sides with ink and colored pencil. As with her other geometrical constructions, the images "just appeared" to her.
Ink and pencil on both sides of transparent, handmade abaca paper, 11in x 8.5in, 2012