Unveiling the Creative Chaos: A Glimpse into the World of Barkley L. Hendricks
Imagine walking into a room brimming with an eclectic collection of items - from women's shoes and wigs to musical instruments and life-sized cutouts of iconic figures. At first, it might seem like a hoarder's paradise, but delve deeper, and you'll discover a treasure trove of inspiration. This is the intriguing world of Barkley L. Hendricks, a renowned artist and Connecticut College Professor Emeritus.
Among the piles of objects, you'll find glimpses of Hendricks himself, captured in various stages of his life. In one image, he sports a stylish black bucket hat and sunglasses, a salt-and-pepper beard framing his smile. In another, a younger Hendricks dons a dapper tuxedo, a red bow tie, and a drink in hand, standing alongside his wife, Susan Hendricks.
Susan, who now manages Hendricks' estate, shares an intimate insight into the artist's life and work. "Barkley was incredibly private," she reveals. "His studio was his sacred space, a sanctuary where he could create without interruption. It was his unique process, and he guarded it carefully."
But here's where it gets intriguing: those seemingly random piles of objects were not the mess of a hoarder but rather, "piles of inspiration" for Hendricks. A Yale-educated multimedia artist, he taught at Connecticut College for nearly four decades and was renowned for his life-sized oil portraits of Black Americans - his relatives, friends, and even strangers.
"The title of the book, 'Piles of Inspiration Everywhere', holds a special meaning," Susan explains. "It's a phrase Barkley often used to describe his creative process. Living with his collections could be challenging, but it was all part of his artistic journey."
Hendricks' work has graced prestigious galleries and museums worldwide, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Tate Modern in London. His major retrospective, "Barkley L. Hendricks: Birth of the Cool," showcased over 50 paintings and toured national museums from 2008 to 2010. One of his paintings even found a home at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The book, 'Piles of Inspiration Everywhere,' invites readers into this creative haven. Through vibrant photographs and excerpts from Hendricks' handwritten journals, it offers a unique glimpse into the artist's mind and his 35-year residence with Susan.
"Katzenstein, a former student of Hendricks and a talented photographer, captured the essence of the house as if it were a tour," Susan says. "Each chapter takes you to a different part of the house, revealing the inspiration behind Hendricks' masterpieces."
David Katzenstein, a Connecticut College alumnus and the photographer behind the book, has traveled the globe, capturing the human experience. In 2018, he founded The Human Experience Project, a nonprofit dedicated to visually documenting humanity and supporting community-strengthening initiatives.
"Working with the graphic designers on 'Piles' was a collaborative dream," Katzenstein shares. "When there's trust and openness, the results are often exceptional. I had complete confidence in their abilities, and they trusted us to deliver the quality they expected."
For Susan, representing Hendricks' legacy was a weighty responsibility. "I wanted to ensure the book did justice to his genius and that he would be proud of it. It was a delicate balance, sharing his private world with the public."
When asked about sharing a home with such a renowned artist, Susan replies, "It was an honor and a privilege. I lived with a true master, and while his piles could be challenging, I wouldn't change a thing."
'Piles of Inspiration Everywhere' offers a unique perspective on the creative mind and the spaces that inspire it. It's a must-read for art enthusiasts and anyone curious about the intriguing world of Barkley L. Hendricks.
And this is the part most people miss: sometimes, the most inspiring spaces are the ones filled with creative chaos. What do you think? Does the artist's environment influence their work? Share your thoughts in the comments; we'd love to hear your perspective!
