‍Bio

Taylor Bamgbose is a self-taught visual artist based in Indianapolis, IN. Also a certified life coach, she works at the intersection of art and mental health. Embodying her passion for supporting women’s mental and emotional well-being, her vibrant figurative paintings invite the viewer into a space of reflection and empower them to explore the inner world of their thoughts and emotions.

Taylor works primarily with oil and acrylic paint on canvas, often using a combination of the two mediums within the same piece. Even when dealing with darker or more difficult subject matter, she is playful with her use of color. She frequently pairs realistic representations of people or objects with flat clothing, hair, or backgrounds for a unique, whimsical effect.

In the four years she’s been working as an artist, she has completed three major bodies of work; Verses, a poetry-inspired collection; State of Mind, which explores the nuances of everyday emotions; and Deal With It, which tackles how we cope with big emotions, for better or worse.

Taylor's work has won several awards, including "Best of Show" at two juried competitions. In 2022, she was awarded the Robert D. Beckmann, Jr. Emerging Artist Fellowship through the Indianapolis Arts Council. She was also selected for the Hoosier Women Artists Program, an initiative of the Indiana Arts Commission. Her work has been displayed in the Indiana Statehouse and in vinyl murals throughout the city of Indianapolis, as well as collected by patrons across the United States and internationally.

taylorbamgbose.com

Statement

As an artist, writer, and coach, my work is unified by one thing—a passion for shining a spotlight on the inner world of our thoughts and emotions.

Many of us, myself included, tend to go through our lives focused on the external. We deal with what we see in front of us—navigating people, circumstances, challenges and opportunities in an attempt to find success, contentment, respect, or whatever we value.

But eventually we begin to bump up against invisible barriers. We notice patterns of tension or conflict in our relationships. We want more but we’re held back by anxieties and self-sabotage. We get what we want but find that it doesn’t deliver the fulfillment we hoped for. We follow a script written for us by family, friends, or society and realize we don’t recognize ourselves anymore.

These moments are an invitation to explore the hidden world buried within—the world full of unconscious beliefs, suppressed emotion, unexplored truth. The world teeming with learned patterns, unmet needs, and a deeply-entrenched terror of never being “enough.”

It’s scary to open the door to this world and to see the shadows inside. But it’s the place most in need of healing. When we face our feelings and give language to our unconscious thoughts, we begin to illuminate the pathway to a more peaceful, grounded, and flourishing life.

My hope is that my work creates greater awareness of the thoughts, feelings, and behavioral patterns that limit and liberate us, and empowers the viewer to experience their life more mindfully.

When did your interest in art begin vs. when you began thinking of it as a career/life choice?

My interest in art began as a child as far back as I can remember! I have so many sketchbooks where I can see the evolution of my drawing skills. Unfortunately, when I was young there weren’t online courses and YouTube videos to help me learn how to draw, so I just bought a few books on how to draw people and practiced from there. My very first sketches make me laugh though. My people all had cone heads, and I couldn’t draw hands, so I just put them behind the person’s back every time.

My main interest when I was younger was drawing, but I picked up some painting supplies in October of 2018, and made three paintings in one week. I fell in love with painting so quickly, and was invited to show my work at the beginning of 2019. I sold three paintings at my first show, and that gave me energy to keep making work. That show was the first time I really considered a career in art.  I got a studio in the summer of 2019, and began to truly think of myself as a professional artist. I was working part-time as a grant writer as well, but I ended up leaving that job over time to focus almost entirely on art.

What draws you to your particular subject matter?

I’ve always been fascinated by people, both from a visual standpoint in art and in studying human behavior. I actually took a ton of psychology and sociology classes in college. In my art practice, I’ve gravitated towards painting mostly women. I think this has been inspired by the amazing female friendships I’ve cultivated. I love hearing about women’s experiences, and using art to support, encourage, inspire, and challenge myself and the women around me.

What interest of yours (outside of art) ends up influencing your practice the most?

My art practice has been predominantly influenced by my experiences as a certified life coach. Through my coaching education and conversations with friends and clients, I’ve had a beautiful window into our common struggles, our hopes and desires, our unmet needs and unhealed wounds, and the flourishing that can result from a gentle pursuit of mindfulness and self-discovery. I strive through my art to help people encounter themselves more deeply. They might look at a painting of mine and notice something in themselves that they didn’t see before. Or they might see something they desire to embody and choose to invite new practices or energy into their life. I always say that I want my art to empower the viewer to live more mindfully, and much of this theme has come from being a coach.

What is one piece of advice you wish you could give your younger self?

If I could give my younger self advice, I would tell her to not get so caught up in what she thinks people expect, or the “right” way to do something, but instead to lean harder into curiosity. My world was much narrower when I was younger, and I didn’t listen very well to my internal cues. I wanted my path to be straightforward and safe and predictable, instead of following the breadcrumbs of fascination and making small adjustments along the way. I’m enjoying my life as a creative now because I’m noticing what I’m drawn to, practicing courage in my own evolution, and trusting that I’ll continue to find the next right step to take.

What would you say is your biggest goal for this year?

I’m having a baby this year, so my biggest goal is to pursue little ways to preserve my creative spark, even as I adjust to a big change. I’m focusing on being compassionate with myself, and leaning into the opportunities that will come with a different rhythm instead of lamenting the schedule and freedom I’ll no longer have. I’m looking forward to seeing if/how being a mother will change my art, not just in practice but in content.

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