LaToya M. Hobbs

LaToya M. Hobbs (born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas) is an American painter and printmaker. Hobbs moved to Baltimore, MD later in her life where she works as a professor at the Maryland Institute College of Art. She gained recognition for her portraiture and figurative imagery in the 2010s, receiving several travel grants and awards in the late twenty teens. Her work addresses the ideas of black beauty and cultural identity that center around being a woman.

LaToya M. Hobbs
Born
Little Rock, Arkansas
EducationPurdue University, MFA, 2013; University of Arkansas, Little Rock, BA, 2009
Awards2020 Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize, Baltimore, MD; 2020 Artist in Residence at Joan Mitchell Center, New Orleans, LA; 2019 Artist Travel Grant, Municipal Art Society of Baltimore.
Websitehttp://www.latoyamhobbs.com/

Early life and education

LaToya M. Hobbs spent most of her early life in Little Rock, Arkansas until after she graduated from college. She is African-American. In her church during her youth she sang in choir and performed liturgical dance. Hobbs studied biology at the University of Arkansas until she realized that painting was her true calling.[1] At that time she switched paths and schools to study studio art. Hobbs graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a BA in painting. She later received her MFA in studio art: painting and printmaking from Purdue University.[2] After her education Hobbs moved to Maryland.

Career

Hobbs works as a professor at the MICA (the Maryland Institute College of Art). She paints and creates her work in her home studio.[3] Her role in the vibrant Baltimore art scene was showcased in From Baltimore, With Love. A joint exhibition with Mary Deacon Opasik, Oletha deVane, Jessica Devilbliss at Brentwood Arts Exchange, Brentwood, MD in 2019, curated by Schroeder Cherry.[4] She gained recognition in 2020 as a finalist and then winner of the Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize given in Baltimore, MD which comes with a $25,000 prize.[5][2]

Work

Performance art was a strong influence in Hobbs' early life. Elizabeth Catlett had a strong influence on Hobbs.[1] Hobbs is best known for her portraiture, which has a characteristic appearance. Her prints and paintings typically feature texture, color, and bold patterns.[2]

Personal life

Hobbs is married and has two children.[2]

Selected solos exhibitions
  • Salt of the Earth II, Baltimore City Hall Galleries, Baltimore, MD, 2019
  • Salt of the Earth, Community Folk Arts Center, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 2018
  • Sitting Pretty, Rosenberg Gallery, Goucher College, Towson, MD, 2018
  • Beautiful Uprising, University of Wisconsin-Marinette, Marinette, WI, 2016
  • Oshun: LaToya M. Hobbs, African American Museum, Dallas, TX, 2015
  • Beautiful Uprising, Patty and Rusty Rueff Galleries, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 2013
  • Beautiful Uprising, Hearne Fine Art, Little Rock, AK, 2013
  • Recent Work by LaToya M. Hobbs, University Plaza, West Lafayette, IN, 2012
  • Duafe, Purdue University Black Cultural Center, West Lafayette, IN, 2011
  • Beauty and Identity, Mullins Library Gallery University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AK, 2011
  • Women of Color, Spectrum Gallery, Lafayette, IN, 2011

References
  1. "How Artscape Prize Winner LaToya M. Hobbs Forged Her Own Path Into Art". Baltimore Magazine. August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  2. "Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize | Arts Council | BOPA". promotionandarts.org. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  3. "LaToya Hobbs speaks to Black women with new exhibit". Rolling Out. April 19, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  4. "A Spotlight on the Unique, Contemporary Arts Scene in Baltimore | Highbrow Magazine". www.highbrowmagazine.com. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  5. Weigel, Brandon (July 6, 2020). "Sondheim Artscape Prize finalists exhibit launches online". Baltimore Fishbowl. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
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