Power: Margaret Bowland's New Work at Driscoll Babcock

Margaret Bowland: Power is the artist's third New York solo exhibition, and one that impresses on every level.  Her large scale paintings are mesmerizing; it's easy to get lost in their beauty and masterful execution as well as their momentous narrative.  Her show touches on contemporary issues of race, gender, social unrest and wealth inequality.  As such, the US dollar bill is a recurring motif found both in her paintings and her installation of twisted dollar roses on barb wires.  The exhibition is on view at Driscoll Babcock gallery until December 12.  Here are some of my photos from the show (you can see more on the gallery's website).  There is so much to discover in these works, go see them for yourself! 

Margaret Bowland, TANGLED UP IN BLUE, 2015, Oil on Linen, 70" x 98"

DUST UP, Oil on linen, 90" x 60" -DETAIL

THE WATCHERS, Barbed Wire, US and Indian Currency, Site specific installation

"NAKEDNESS HAS NO COLOR" AND KNOWS NO BORDER, 2015, Oil on Linen, 82" x 70"

Jim Shaw: The End is Here at the New Museum

Last night I went to the opening reception of Jim Shaw's: The End is Here exhibition at the New Museum.  It is the artist's first NYC retrospective spanning on three floors of the museum - an impressive curatorial feat.  Not only are we presented with a survey of the artwork he created in the last five decades such as paintings, drawings and theatrical backdrops but also with his diverse sources of inspiration.  For example, there are rooms filled with his collections of comic books, record covers and religious posters as well as an entire gallery filled with paintings he purchased from thrift stores.  This exhibition is so expansive it requires a couple of trips to the museum to fully absorb it. The good news is that the show runs until 01/10/16, so there is plenty of time to see it.  Here are some photos I took, please check out the museum's website for more information.

P.S. The views from the museum's 7th floor 'sky room' are incredible, especially at night.

 

My visit to Michelle Doll's studio made possible by Verni

I found Michelle Doll's studio via Verni.  This site made it easy for me to schedule a visit and see her work in person, something I wanted to do for a while.  Her studio is in a nice area in Hoboken, NJ, in an artist building, with beautiful views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.  It feels very welcoming and homey.  

In her studio are a number of works in progress and finished pieces.  There are large and small oil paintings that depict honest moments of intimacy.  The large images surround you while the small ones draw you in, a playful interpretation of space, a space that is shared by the couples, the artists, and the audience. She paints them differently, the small pieces she describes as 'tokens', precious, and carefully rendered.  The large ones are painted more loosely and in parts the paint seems to be peeling (an illusion created by the layered application of paint). It's as if we are witnessing the impermanence of the embraces. It's a beautiful and startling sensation at the same time.

Michelle is a successful female artist showing tenderness and courage in her paintings as well as a remarkable technique.  Below are some photos I took during my studio visit.  You can see more of her work on line at www.michelledoll.com.  I had a great time in her studio and a good experience using Verni to reach her.  Don't hesitate to try the service for yourself!