Tag: anxiety

Philip Guston at Hauser & Wirth Gallery

When Philip Guston stopped painting in an abstract expressionist style and adopted a new, faux-naïve look in 1970, art world response was so negative that the artist relocated to Rome for the better part of the following year.  ‘Pittore,’ part of a major show of Guston’s late work at Hauser & Wirth Gallery, expresses some of the anxiety that Guston must have felt as a painter, as well as his need to change to a representational style to engage in a more overt way with the politics of the day.  Here, the artist lies awake in bed at night, his paint and brush beside him.  Smoking, his eyes bloodshot, and with a clock rising behind him like a moon dominating a landscape, the pressure is palpable.  (On view in Chelsea.  Proof of vaccination, photo ID and masks are required).

Philip Guston, Pittore, oil on canvas, 72 ¾ x 80 ½ inches, 1973.

Jade Alexis Thacker in ‘Towards a More Beautiful Oblivion’ at Fredericks & Freiser Gallery

Though young Brooklyn-based painter and printmaker Jade Alexis Thacker’s watchful characters look too aware to be courting oblivion, they’re standouts in Fredericks & Freiser Gallery’s summer group show ‘Towards a More Beautiful Oblivion.’  Thacker’s paintings often include black and yellow color contrasts that convey danger and anxiety, but here, cool colors, an intimate embrace and the angelic, wing-like arm of the figure on the right also speak to comfort and strength in friendship.  (On view in Chelsea through August 6th).

Jade Alexis Thacker, familiar void, oil and acrylic on canvas, 70 x 42 inches, 2021.

Lorna Simpson at Salon94 Bowery

Lorna Simpson’s understated, monochrome images employ collaged fragments from magazines like Ebony and Jet in a powerful, poetic mediation on race in America. (At Salon94 Bowery on the Lower East Side through Oct 22nd).

Lorna Simpson, Hands, India ink and screenprint on Clayboard, 48 x 36 inches, 2016.
Lorna Simpson, Hands, India ink and screenprint on Clayboard, 48 x 36 inches, 2016.

 

Elizabeth Jaeger at Jack Hanley Gallery

Anxious greyhounds greet visitors to Elizabeth Jaeger’s debut solo show at LES gallery Jack Hanley, setting an oddly expectant mood. Though the space is too large and bright to convey much angst, Jaeger’s weirdly proportioned animals are winningly lively. (Through Nov 9th).

Elizabeth Jaeger, installation view of ‘Six-Thirty’ at Jack Hanley Gallery, October 2014. (Includes ‘Yet to be Titled (Dog),’ ceramic, hydrocal, loose graphite, house paint/latex paint, leather, brass.)