Marshall Toomey: 'Black Americana'

Marshall Toomey: Black Americana
On view Oct. 19, 2024 through April 13, 2025
Exhibition celebration:
5-7 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2025.

From the organizers:

Marshall describes his work as autobiographical. “My own style is blended with traditional techniques to create an enriched view of the life I’ve experienced. I placed myself in the scene along with other characters from my life. I am taking a look at the positives in everyday life; the perspectives, traditions, and routines of being outside of the struggles.

My paintings represent moments in time. I aim for realism with incredible vitality—they feel almost alive. I like to paint portraits, animals, and food. I have always had a drive to be the best artist I could be. I continue to constantly look at the masters of art in magazines and books, and study every cartoonist I see.

This first solo show is an extremely important step early in my fine art career. Telling a NEW story is my goal. Museums need a different look at history for people to see that there is always more to the story.”

Toomey’s mission is to make art for the masses. His early childhood goal was to have a successful syndicated comic strip running daily in every newspaper in the world. Although he sent hundreds of submissions to syndicates into his young adult years, he never got picked up. Although he had to let go of that particular dream, he never gave up on dreaming altogether and at 24 years old he bought a one-way ticket to Hollywood, California. Toomey went on to become a successful animator with a 40-year career as a professional artist, including 20 years at Walt Disney Animation Studios. His credits include participation in Aladdin (1992), The Lion King (1994), The Hunchback of the Notre Dame (1996), and Hercules (1997). He also illustrated many books, including The Lion King book created after the movie.

About the artist:
Toomey was born in 1953 and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He was selected for this solo exhibition as the Grand Prize winner in OMA’s 2023 Artist Alliance Biennial, for his painting The Shop.

Marshall Toomey is an artist and animator with a 40 year career as a professional artist, including 20 years as movie animator at Disney Animation. Toomey was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He moved to Southern California in the 1970s to pursue his artistic career. He worked for Walt Disney Animation Studio for 20 years with credits including participation in the animated creation of Rafiki in “The Lion King” and Quasimodo in “The Hunchback of the Notre Dame”. He also illustrated many books, including “The Lion King” book created after the movie. A full list of film credits can be found on his  IMDb webpage.