Bill Traylor

Bill Traylor (William Traylor; 1853 – 1949) was a self-taught artist from the USA. He was an African American man who was born into slavery and worked as a sharecropper after he was freed. In 1939, at the incredible age of 85, Traylor began to draw with a pencil on scraps of cardboard to document his memories and observations. Over the next three years, he produced almost 1,500 pieces of art. Although Traylor had his first public exhibition in 1940, it took 30 years after his death for his work to gain broader recognition. Traylor is a significant figure in American folk and modern art and holds a central position in the realms of "self-taught" naive art. His style is characterised by a rhythmic approach, often using humble materials, and his figures engage in daily chores or intense encounters. Traylor's work resonates with authenticity and challenges conventional norms, making him a unique and remarkable artist.