Wes Lang: The Black Paintings

Work inspired by sources as diverse as childhood finger puppets and the monsters of James Ensor’s paintings

Published to accompany American artist Wes Lang’s first UK exhibition, The Black Paintings features stunning reproductions of 96 paintings and 96 drawings made between 2022 and 2024, along with striking visuals of Lang at work in his studio. The catalog vividly demonstrates the breadth of Lang’s inspiration, drawing from fine art heroes such as Francis Bacon, Francisco Goya and Alfred Munnings, as well as the kitsch imagery of his childhood. Lang (born 1972) masterfully blends these influences to create his distinctive and deeply personal style. Unique otherworldly characters—skeletons and disembodied skulls—are set against dark and obscured backgrounds or lush landscapes. The works on paper feature these same characters, but set against the blank white space of the page, embedded in intricately inscribed scenes with playful expressions and phrases that echo Taoist philosophy, reflecting the spiritual beliefs that drive Lang’s practice.