During our visit to the Simchowitz Hill House in Pasadena, we had the opportunity to speak with artist Ken Taylor Reynaga about his work. Ken Taylor Reynaga’s art captures the intimate yet complex experiences of everyday life, particularly within immigrant and working-class communities. Born in Southern California and raised in Bakersfield, Reynaga’s background in the agricultural Central Valley deeply informs his work. He explores themes of cultural identity, masculinity, and class through scenes that may seem ordinary—like family meals, backyard parties, or soccer games—but reveal deeper social narratives. His paintings, often created on unconventional surfaces like tablecloths or bed sheets, blend figuration with abstraction, highlighting small yet significant details, such as a cowboy hat beside a floral table arrangement. Reynaga’s works offer a fresh perspective on Chicanx and Latinx art, defying conventional categorization.

This video is the fourth in our series about Hill House. See also the video about the opening of Los Angeles-based artist Shaina McCoy’s exhibition at Hill House, the interview with Stefan Simchowitz, and the Hill House Tour with Stefan Simchowitz.

Interview with Ken Taylor Reynaga / Simchowitz Hill House, Pasadena. October 20, 2024.

— Right-click (Mac: ctrl-click) this link to download Quicktime video file.