Honor Titus

Honor Titus is an American artist who lives and works in Los Angeles. He is deeply influenced by his creative past as a musician and poet, and his paintings are embedded with nostalgic references to a simpler time. Tituss works often depict faceless figures in minimal urban landscapes, reflecting the isolation that stems from metropolitan anonymity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 68 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Anomie Publishing

Honor Titus, an American artist residing in Los Angeles, has a rich artistic background that spans both music and poetry. As a self-taught painter, Titus draws inspiration from his creative past, blending elements of romance and nostalgia into his works. His paintings, characterized by their dark, luminous jewel tones, often depict faceless figures in minimal urban landscapes, reflecting the isolation that stems from metropolitan anonymity. Titus' simplified compositions and striking color patches are influenced by the art movement of Les Nabis, while his flat, decorative surfaces echo the graphic hyperrealism of artists inspired by American advertising, such as Alex Katz.

This, Titus' first trade monograph, showcases a selection of his latest and most notable works, including a series presented in his solo exhibition titled "Bourgeoisie in Bloom" at Timothy Taylor in London in 2022–2023. In this body of work, Titus delves deeper into the themes of ritual, class, and nostalgia that have been central to his previous artistic endeavors. He incorporates debutante balls, where young adults are introduced to society, into his compositions, evoking traditions of cultural formality and old-world glamour. Titus favors bright panels of color, employing precise brushwork to delineate details of vintage attire, such as the tilt of a bow tie and the line of a ballgown.

A foreword by artist Henry Taylor provides insight into his early encounters with Titus' work and their enduring friendship. Taylor explores the biographical factors that inform Titus' subjects, including music, referencing the artist's first solo show, which was held at Henry Taylor Gallery in Chinatown in 2020. A text by Durga Chew-Bose further explores the themes of nostalgia and memory within the context of Titus' art. Anecdotes relayed to Chew-Bose bring forth personal experiences related to his work, adding depth and dimension to the discussion. Titus' own words shed light on the filmic and musical influences that shape his artistic vision.

Dimension: 300 x 220 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781910221440