Hayley Quentin

like Cat is a Hopper Prize finalist. They create (not all abstract) introspective, resonant works informed by science-fiction, mysticism, wisdom traditions, and a human’s experience.

I picked up a strong Symbolist vibe from these, her voice reminds me of Emil and Agnes and Clarence.

More (and more artists on this blog whose work has strong symbolism)

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Catalina Arocena

has work up at Oneoneone atm. Including two images below because the artist is showing new work on rice paper, and work from the early 2000s on raw silk. In the latter case, it was hard for me not to think about the state of abstract painting in the that timeframe, and how the pro-intellect, antiromantic sentiment in Art and view of painting as completely dead and invalid likely made these poetic stain works that were quoting non-Western philosophy stand out and not in a positive way (the artist related during their talk, how they found the practice unsatisfying at the time, although I am reading into context with my observation).

Viewers who feel that they see a strong east Asian influence in these would not be wrong- at the artist’s talk, they discussed the relationship of transparent materials to the non-solidity of being ( in terms of both literal energy, and the relationship of reality to the mind), as well as the interplay and visual interdependence of layers in the work as a metaphor for the philosophical concept of interconnectedness of life. Yes, I see a few echoes of Ross as well.

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Ronny Quevedo

was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador and lives and works in New York, NY. Quevedo’s practice spans installation, drawings, and prints, incorporating and subverting aspects of abstraction, painting, collage, cartography, and sports imagery. Deeply engaged with notions of identity, Quevedo reenvisions pre- and post-colonial iconographies. They show with Alexander Gray.

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Stanley Whitney

On the final day of Black History Month, I want to give snaps to my favorite living painter, who happens to be a person of color, Stanley Whitney. At the highest level, I actually don’t have anything to add to what’s been written about him, other than I have wanted to lick every one of his paintings I’ve ever seen in person. #sorrynotsorry

I have Stanley to thank for my introduction to John Yau, who did a great write up on Stanley and two other painters* in the context of a two-location exhibit with Lisson Gallery in NYC in 2018, around the time my practice reignited.

Stanley popped to the top of mind for me not so much because of the importance of February for all of us to educate ourselves, but because, like Jack, Helen put his show at ICA Boston last year on her top shows list. (link is to Spotify)

*btw, that Yau article also makes note of Harriet and Melissa; speaking of fantastic painters who are also female, Stanley’s spouse Marina is an effing savant with color as well.

Update- this video with Stanley includes my favorite quotable bit of wisdom from him regarding following a painting out the window (just watch- link will take you to YouTube).

#stanleywhitney

Marcus Mangiani

like Sharon has shown with CLEA RSKY a project-based space that showcases artistic experimentation and irreverent exhibition formats.

Marcus’ work explores the transformative power of light. Drawing from his lived experience within the carceral system (much like Sherril), Manganni first developed techniques such as reflection, refraction, and sun mapping while in solitary confinement.
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Ariel Mitchell

Is in Street Corner Conversations with Sharon and Wendy. Mitchell’s work explores boundaries and control. Beginning with a linen surface lying flat on a table, she dribbles white acrylic and clear medium, smooshing it intuitively with her fingers. Once dry, she chooses oil colors straight from the tubes. Using a tiny brush and very little pigment, she carefully stains the white underpainting with oil paint.

More and more (below is 35×40 btw)

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Wendy Fulenwider Liszt

is in Street Corner Conversations at McBride / Dillman with Sharon and Ariel Mitchell. approaches painting as a site of reconstitution. (From the gallery) “Drawing from experiences of impact, imbalance and illumination, she treats paint as both skin and medium, layering translucent and opaque color, then sanding, scraping and carving to reveal fiery forms.”

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