Maya McFadden Photo
Taylor used plaster and paint for portrait of her granddaughter
Arizona Taylor.
Dozens of lively faces of women Friday evening empowered the room at Poetic Haven for a pop-up women empowerment exhibit.
The one-night exhibition, held at the 381 Shelton Ave. event space, displayed the art of 3D artist Arizona Taylor, who paints and molds realistic pieces for “people to feel connected and a part” of her art.
Taylor previously lived in New York and until a year ago was making paintings as a hobby, when she had the time to relax from work as a mom and health care aide.
Taylor’s pieces on display in Newhallville Friday ranged from her oldest painting made in 2014 to her newest pieces made just last month. The exhibition was the first sponsored by a Female Inner City Artist (FICA) initiative created by Poetic Haven owner Petulia Blake.
Taylor had drawn and painted throughout her life. When she moved to New Haven in 2019, she began doing more art and learning new techniques. “I’ve been just a mom for so long that I didn’t think my art would sell,” she said.
But when she didn’t get a job as a home health care aide at the start of the pandemic, she felt it “was a sign that I should be doing art instead” full time.
While growing up in New York, Taylor loved to visit wax museums. Her dozens of visits inspired her to make 3D art of her own. She started by using recycled material she could find around the house, like styrofoam, then moved on to buying clay and plaster for pieces.
When Taylor moved to New Haven she met local artist Edmund “Bwak” Comfort. For the past six months Bwak has taken Taylor under his wing at Bwak Productions and is teaching her new art techniques, like using a heat press, graphic designing, making backdrops, and airbrushing.
Taylor’s exhibit theme Friday was silver and gold. The two colors remind her of her upbringing and future. she said. Taylor’s art depicts women in power of all different shades, ages, and cultures.
“Silver and gold are like a sparkle of light. Sunshine. Hope. Everything,” Taylor said.
Taylor shows of plexiglass effect on most recent 3D piece.
One of her newer pieces on display was of two silver and bronze mermaids with 3D holographic tails and a new technique she learned using a piece of plexiglass to add more layers to her art. Taylor painted gold and silver bubbles on the plexiglass with fish swimming behind the sheet.
Taylor described the mermaid piece as signifying freedom and peace.
Petulia Blake and Taylor.
The Friday exhibition was Taylor’s second art show at Poetic Haven. Blake’s new FICA inactive will host a new local woman artist exhibit each month this summer to push for more art by women of color displayed and exposed locally.
Blake recalled meeting Taylor for the first time last year when she came into the venue hesitantly expressing that she was an artist. From there Blake and Taylor began discussing when to display her work.
“She’s authentic in her work. These are very unique pieces, and trust me, I’ve been to over 35 countries,” Blake said.
Blake said the FICA initiative will also highlight “the light that exists in this community.” She said Newhallville will be transformed by artist like Taylor who “are that light” needed to heal the community she said.
“When I saw her work and the diversity, it blew my mind,” Blake said. “You are powerful. And you’re a healer.”
Taylor’s long-term goal is to have her own art gallery. The gallery will display all of her art forms she is currently learning and the progression of her skills she said.
In February, Taylor worked with Bwak on a forest mural for a deli, where she added a 3D squirrel indoors.
Taylors airbrushed DMX art tribute.
Other pieces on display included her first-ever 3D art project of two lions, one of which has a realistically bushy black and brown mane. She also displayed an airbrushed portrait she made while inspired from DMX’s It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot album.
Taylor was joined by a friend known as Hula Diamond Tree, daughter Zonaira Daniels, and granddaughter Ljaya Taylor for a dance performance at the end of the exhibition. depicting her painting the group into a silver and gold masterpiece.
Daughter Zonaira Daniels, Taylor, granddaughter Ljaya Taylor, and Diamond Tree.
Taylor can be contacted for art commissions at 637 – 394-6749 or at her .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
