"Nathan Jalani Taylor makes expressive semi-abstract works whose subjects speak to contemporary life, with a feeling of music in their bones. Strong, graphic and colorful. they add light and stimulation to any space they inhabit." -UPTOWN MAGAZINE

"Visual artist Nathan Jalani Taylor’s cover art for Play With The Changes instantly drew me in with its primal simplicity. The Rorschach ink blots boiling into the heavens like an apocalyptic tar pit. It is a perfect visual representation of 4Hero’s sound." -Brian Hull, OKAYPLAYER.COM

Nathan Jalani Taylor is a visual artist, painter, graphic designer and art director. Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, Nathan showed a talent for the arts at an early age. At age 15 he was the youngest published cartoonist for the Rockford Register Star with his strip Jalani. His first formal education in painting began at Rockford Auburn High School in the CAPA (Creative And Performing Arts) program. A decade later several of his large paintings still hang in the school and the pieces have become part of the school's tradition. He later attended and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts & Graphic Design from Iowa State University. While at Iowa State he earned an award for Design Excellence for co-founding The Black Renaissance Movement and Uhuru Magazine. The groups focused on African-American students and the Arts, One of the only organizations and publications of its kind in the state of Iowa.

He first moved to New York City to work as a designer for Essence Magazine. He continues to work as designer and art director for major magazines and record labels. His art currently graces the cover of Play with the Changes, the latest album by the UK super group 4hero. He was selected to tour as a live painter with Grammy Nominated R&B/Gospel artist Kelly Price. He currently performs live paintings with prominent musicians and spoken word artists such as Janelle Monae, Jon B., Messiah, Glenn Lewis, and Autumn Rowe. Freestyling live art at concerts, open mic events/parties throughout the country. Nathan was one of eleven artist selected to be featured in Verizon Wireless"How Sweet The Sound" Gospel/Art Concert Series. His paintings were regularly featured in Elle Magazine and he illustrated Hay House's Iyanla Vanzant Inspirational Card Series. Nathan was selected to show at Red Stripe's Tribeca Film Festival After Party and Harlem's Society Cafe 2nd Anniversary Event. His artwork was used on the cover of Dr. Richard Iton's book In Search of the Black Fantastic (Oxford University Press). He was commissioned to create graphics for the NBA's All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. He has worked as a designer and art director for Essence, Elle, ElleGirl, Elle.com, Maxim's Stuff Magazine, Vibe & Vixen Magazine.

He designed the cd packaging for the master reggae percussionist Larry McDonald's album Drumquestra (MCPR Records). He also created storyboard drawings for Shakti's (Global Soul) upcoming music video. Recently he donated the painting "Healing Spirit" to the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation. He was invited to show in Seed Gallery's Inaugural Group Art Exhibition (Newark, NJ, Winter 2007). His work was featured at "A Night in Brooklyn" with photographer Rondie Pottinger at Tamboril Latin Restaurant Bar & Lounge (summer 2008). Nathan painted live once a month in 2009 at J. Harris'Love Jones NYC at Duane Park Restaurant and Lounge in Tribeca. In addition to his paintings Nathan is a freelance graphic designer, recently working as an art director for Industry NYC Magazine, creating t-shirt designs for Madison Parker Clothing Company, His original paintings and prints are available online here at www.nathanjalanitaylor.com. He has produced several solo exhibitions; "To Find Your Truth" (C.O.I. Studios, Brooklyn, Spring 2002), "Free Mind Soul Power" (Greeley Gallery, NYC, Spring 2003), "ReBirth" (Cranberry Storefront, Brooklyn Heights, Summer 2006), "World Of The Unknown" and "Spiritual Journey" (Creative Pier, NYC 2009), "Re:Born" (Avram Eisen Gallery). He was recently featured in Essence Magazine's (February 2010) fashion feature entitled "Muse." He is currently showing in an ongoing group show entitled "Common Grounds" at Chicago's DuSable Museum of African-American History, hosted by Gallery Guichard. Today Nathan lives and works as an artist in Rockford, IL and continues to make artistic contributions to the local community and worldwide. 

"Powerful art."

-Jared McCallister, NY DAILY NEWS

 

"(Artwork) Focusing on liberation, both physical & spiritual"

-NYPRESS.COM