Reginald Sylvester II Looks Toward a Year of Exploration Leading Up to His Exhibition at CANADA, New York

The new year marks a major moment for New York-based artist Reginald Sylvester II, who will showcase his latest Semi and Offering paintings alongside the abstract works of the late Denzil Hurley in Beyond the Frame: Abstraction Reconstructed, opening Thursday, January 16, at CANADA, New York. Known for his innovative use of industrial materials, Sylvester sees this exhibition as the beginning of a deeper exploration into materiality and expanded conceptual boundaries.

“I’m focused on synthesizing the foundational elements of my work across different series, weaving them together in fresh, exciting ways to push the boundaries of my practice,” Sylvester shares. Alongside this creative evolution, he is also setting up a new studio space in upstate New York. “This move represents both a physical and conceptual shift—an opportunity to redefine my environment and let it shape my work in unexpected ways.”

Curated by Christiana Ine-Kimba Boyle, the exhibition juxtaposes Sylvester’s contemporary abstraction with the late Denzil Hurley’s meditative constructions. Boyle describes the show as “conceptually expansive,” a sentiment Sylvester enthusiastically echoes, crediting her vision with shaping his presentation. Beyond the Frame highlights Sylvester’s innovative use of materials while creating a dialogue between his work and Hurley’s, emphasizing abstraction as a versatile medium for introspection and cultural commentary. Despite generational and stylistic differences, both artists share a dedication to abstraction as a dynamic and evolving language.

“For me, this exhibition is an enriching moment in my journey,” Sylvester explains. “Sharing a space with an artist as phenomenal as Denzil Hurley elevates the conversation. I’m both honored and humbled to show alongside him.”

Sylvester’s distinctive approach, inspired by industrial surfaces like the grid-like patterns found on worn semi-trucks, transforms studio debris and industrial remnants into bold visual narratives. These “semi-paintings” bridge personal histories with broader cultural narratives, merging the austerity of minimalism with the raw textures of contemporary aesthetics.

On the contrary, Hurley, combines found objects with painting, establishing a site for interaction between form, material, and memory. The combination of both Sylvester's and Hurley’s abstract methods will make for a contemplative and introspective experience.
Looking ahead at his 2025 resolutions, Sylvester is eager to explore new possibilities in both drawing and sculpture. “I’m focusing on resolving and expanding conceptual ideas, aiming to create forms and gestures that seamlessly bridge two-dimensional and three-dimensional planes. I want these mediums to inform and elevate each other in ways that challenge their boundaries,” he elaborates.

For the artist, 2025 is poised to be a year of bold exploration, meaningful collaboration, and transformative growth—pushing the boundaries of abstraction while staying rooted in its ever-evolving lexicon.