NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani spent his 35th birthday amidst art at the Studio Museum in Harlem.
Mamdani shared an Instagram post yesterday, speaking about how he spent his birthday. One painting in particular captured his attention the most: The Hypnotist (2026) by Taylor Simmons. The painting features a man on a dais, other people around him, and even a car seemingly in the background. The artist has left the meaning open for interpretation, though the most commonly accepted one is the leader on the dais preaching to the populace.
Taylor Simmons hails from Atlanta and is currently an artist-in-residence at the Studio Museum, as part of their planned exhibition for their new building. Other residents include Simonette Quamina and Derriann Pharr. Taylor Simmons is known for documenting real-life scenes, but by superimposing and layering them in such a way that they almost seem dream-like.
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In 2022, Simmons said this about his work: “Fear and strength tend to be tied to the types of figures I paint, but I hope to explore the ‘wh’” of it all. I am interested in the many lives or meanings these figures can have depending on the viewer. I like exploring the emotions of the viewer and giving them space to question their own perception. The narrative ambiguity can create a vastness.” It is no wonder that Mamdani is a fan of his work. Taylor Simmons can be seen on display on “A sustained becoming: Studio Museum Artists in Residence 2026” till first week of January.
