Noah Davis
Celebrating the late artist’s expansive creativity, this debut retrospective showcases Noah Davis as one of the most original and uncanny painters emerging in recent years.
Primarily based in Los Angeles, Noah Davis created a body of figurative paintings that explores a range of Black life.
Motivated by the desire to ‘represent the people around me’, Davis painted figures diving into pools, sleeping, dancing, and looking at art in scenes that can be both realistic and dreamlike, joyful and melancholic. Davis drew from anonymous photography, personal archives, film, art history and his imagination to create a ravishing body of work. Often enigmatic, his paintings reveal a deep feeling for humanity and the emotional textures of everyday.
In 2012, Davis co-founded The Underground Museum to provide free access to world-class art for people of Arlington Heights, LA. This exhibition presents over 50 of Davis’ works in painting, sculpture, curating and community-building from 2007 to his untimely death in 2015.
Noah Davis is initiated by Barbican, London and DAS MINSK, Potsdam where it will be on display 7 September 2024 – 5 January 2025. The exhibition will tour to the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles 8 June – 31 August 2025.
This exhibition is generously supported by Clore Wyndham, part of the Noah Davis Exhibition Circle.
Opening hours
*From 5-8pm, entry to the gallery is Pay What You Can
*Thu 6 Feb: 10am – 6pm
The Barbican was designed to be different
Art Gallery
Location
The Art Gallery is located on Level 3 and can be accessed by stairs and lifts from Level G or via the Sculpture Court if coming from outside.
Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
Doors normally in open position during exhibition hours. Ticket desk 98cm with a drop section of 76cm. Step-free access on each floor of the Art Gallery.
Mobility
The Art Gallery has two levels, linked by a flight of 24 stairs with an intermediate landing. A passengeroperated lift (76 x 110cm) connects the two floors. If you need assistance, staff will be happy to help.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the gallery staff during your visit.
Large-print exhibition information
To request a large print copy, please call the Art Gallery on 020 7382 2382 before your visit.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
Enhanced security measures are currently in place at the Barbican.
As part of these measures only one reasonably-sized bag (no larger than 32cm L x 18cm W x 22cm H) per person may be taken inside our venues and all bags may be searched by a member of our team.
We ask that, where possible, visitors avoid bringing large bags to the Centre. If you do need to check bags into our free cloakrooms, we suggest arriving early. All bags deposited will be subject to search and random bag searches are also in operation.
Please also remember that belongings should not be left unattended at any time.
Thank you for your understanding – we look forward to welcoming you to the Barbican.
