At the Skirball Cultural Center, the exhibition titled Draw Them In, Paint Them Out features a unique dialogue between the works of two influential artists: Philip Guston (American, b. Canada 1913–1980), a son of Jewish immigrants from Odessa, and Trenton Doyle Hancock (American, b. 1974), a prominent Black artist based in Houston. This marks the first time their artworks are showcased together, examining the intersection of art and social justice.
The exhibition underscores the thematic parallels in Guston and Hancock’s explorations of evil, self-representation, otherness, and art as activism. Key pieces on display include Guston’s renowned satirical Ku Klux Klan paintings, positioned alongside Hancock’s significant works inspired by Guston. By focusing on art depicting the Klan, the exhibit seeks to illustrate how both artists confront these figures to delve into personal identity and critique broader systems of power and complicity.
Despite the challenging themes and sometimes violent imagery, both artists utilize dark humor and the language of comics to navigate the emotional intensity of their art. This exhibition is curated by Rebecca Shaykin, in collaboration with Hancock, and is organized by the Jewish Museum, New York. The Skirball’s presentation has been coordinated by Vicki Phung Smith.
Draw Them In, Paint Them Out will be displayed at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles until March 1, 2026. For further details, visit skirball.org.
