TROUTBECK WELCOMES Taha clayton AS Artist In residence

After being honored at the Wassaic Project’s Winter Benefit, held at Troutbeck, artist Taha Clayton visited local schools participating in this year’s Troutbeck Symposium (April 30- May 2, 2025), to check in and advise on students’ art projects related to the Symposium’s themes of uncovering lesser-known or told local histories.

Through Wassaic Project’s educational program, Taha was here to meet with students from Webutuck Central, Millbrook CSD, Shepaug Valley High School, Dover High School, Stissing Mountain School, Salisbury School, South Kent and Hotchkiss, which are participating in the 2025 Troutbeck Symposium among other schools.

While residing at Troutbeck, Taha transformed our Shop into a temporary studio, displaying his work and creating new work — including a portrait inspired by his surroundings here at Troutbeck.

Biography

Taha Clayton is a Brooklyn-based painter, Houston, TX born and raised in Toronto, ON. Clayton's style and aesthetic is rooted in classical practices, while his narratives juxtapose historical and futurist allusions. He creates realistic renderings, many through portraiture, to celebrate and transcend culture and legacy. His Muslim upbringing and cultural heritage shape his work in order to address mistruths of ethnic antiquity. This clash with Western perspectives is conveyed through images of empowerment rather than historically misguided portrayals of despair and strife. Whether his subjects are captured in their natural environment or composed within an imagined story, these figures embody dignity, culture and beauty. Clayton’ precise, labored, and intricate methods of realism is especially illustrated through his common use of fabric. His subjects are not only representatives, but should be seen as individuals with human stories.

One of Clayton’s paintings was most recently selected to be included in the 2024 Lunar Codex, “Nova Collection”, where an image of his work was included inside of a time capsule launched and placed on the moon in perpetuity. He recently showcased with the Art Renewal Center, exhibiting at MEAM (Europe Museum of Modern Art) in Barcelona, Spain. In 2023, his painting was selected as the cover of “New American Paintings”. Clayton’s artistic journey was also documented in the award winning 2016 documentary, “Heavyweight Paint”.

Artist Statement

I am both a documentarian and a myth maker, highlighting the culture, community, and history of the overlooked and marginalized. I create images of empowerment, addressing Western ideals and historical mistruths in ethnic antiquity. In using a high level of rendering, it enables the viewer to connect to a specific time and space. M style and aesthetic is rooted in classical practices of realism, allowing the audience to viscerally slip into reinvented history, and at times, with futuristic elements and historical references, refocusing on positive imagery. My narratives center around vibrant subjects. The movement, texture, and textiles in attire, are just as much a part of their individual story as their environment.

The creative decisions in determining light, color, composition, size, theme, and story are all predetermined before painting ever begins, allowing me to focus on rendering and the technical aspects of my work. My process varies when configuring referenc images. At times, I paint from life. However, in the instance for this painting, I typically organize photo shoots, complete with models, location, wardrobe and set design. I often build my own props to include in the sets.

My most current body of work honors the legacy of our elders, shining light on the Black American experience in moments of pride, grace, love, perseverance, gumption and spirit, that transcend beyond the hardships of their time. I look to illuminate those living in the present, who’s image is inspired by the 1930’s to 50’s era, in tribute to those that came before us. Their visual presentation is not necessarily prompted by custom or tradition, but in celebration of the authentic beauty and joy during a time that is primarily encapsulated with images of strife. In highlighting ordinary moments, it defines ou resilience and humanity. Some of the work in this series is drawn from actual historical moments of art, music and literature that continues to echo into who we are to this day