Artist Statement:
Much of my work investigates the relationships between subject and setting. I'm drawn to the awkward tangents and directional lines that happen where objects or light collide, embracing the visual friction that happens when form resists resolution. I aim to create images that push for interest while also settling into an unnatural comfort. I see everyday moments as opportunities for deeper inquiry into where symbolism and the familiar intersect.
I emphasize perceived color, pushing saturation and vibrancy to evoke emotional responses and guide perception. My use of color isn’t set by realism, but it serves to accentuate those implied directional lines that emerge within my compositions. The colors I choose are inspired by the shifting palette of different times of day, the nuances of shadow, or the emotional weight tied to a specific painting’s subject matter. Through this intentional manipulation I aim to stir feeling and deepen my connection to the work.
I am an artist whose work is rooted in personal history, colloquialisms, and lived experience. The Nature v. Nurture expression is often on my mind while painting or creatively exploring. I am convinced that your environment molds you, but there are some things you cannot fight against. Using this thought process, I explore the tension and harmony between identity and place, searching for the parallels between my queer identity and the beauties/complexities of growing up in North Mississippi.
Artist Bio:
Taggert King, a native Mississippi oil painter, resides in Columbus, MS. Taggert is a self-taught artist who, in 2024, decided to pursue a career in the arts after a lifetime of being a hobby artist. His oil paintings thematically show the connection of subject and setting through perceived color, parallels between the background and foreground, and directional lines. His work has been included in many themed galleries across Mississippi and is owned by several personal collectors.