Rico Gatson Untitled (12 panels), 2014
Jason Middlebrook Gold Cherry Gift, 2014
Jenny Morgan Oh My Love, What a Mirror Reflection We Are, 2012
Ebony G. Patterson Untitled I from the Black Roses Series, 2013
Maja Ruznic Stamp of Total Conquest, 2014 Chris Kienke Life, Security and the Pursuit of Riches, 2014
Patrick Hammie Nightwatch, 2013
Harvey Opgenorth Museum Manifestation - Aggressive Apparitions, 2014
116 N Walnut St. Champaign, IL 61820 figureone.org facebook.com/seefigureone Tues – Thurs Fri – Sat Sun – Mon
11am – 7pm 1pm – 9pm closed
Figure One is a laboratory that supports projects, exhibitions, and events stemming from all areas of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels in The University of Illinois School of Art + Design. As an off-campus venue, Figure One is a public test bed for new ideas to take shape in the space between the safety of the classroom and the rigor of the professional world.
EXHIBITION ARTISTS:
RICO GATSON PATRICK EARL HAMMIE CHRIS KIENKE JASON MIDDLEBROOK JENNY MORGAN HARVEY OPGENORTH EBONY G. PATTERSON MAJA RUZNIC
PAINTING IS DEAD?!
FEB. 6–MAR. 28, 2015
Are You Sure Painting Is Dead?!
of currently practicing artists as a lens, Painting Is Dead?! seeks to challenge historical—and even contemporary— understandings of painting as a medium and a practice. This exhibition demonstrates the ongoing innovations occurring in the field of painting, while also displaying works that expand the conceptual ideals associated with its processes. The works featured in Painting Is Dead?! are figurative, abstract, sculptural and even multi-media laden. Moreover, the com-positions on view at Figure One also speak to the state of today’s social climate. Painting Is Dead?! explores the place of painting in our society as a vehicle that can illustrate the fusion of conceptual originality, nature, technology and more. Other works in this exhibition examine the identity politics of ethnicity, race and black masculinity, while also reflecting on the expansiveness of the tradition of painting by incorporating new techniques and perspectives. Overall, the works displayed in Painting Is Dead?! reveal that surely painting is not dead; that it is in fact alive, well and maybe even thriving.
by Rehema C. Barber “Current social circumstances dictate new forms of art.” —Nikolai Tarabukin 1 “My painting is based on the fact that only what can be seen there is there. It really is an object.”—Frank Stella 2 For centuries, painting has been the standard by which novices and experts alike have defined “fine art.” As a result, the relevancy and vitality of the medium has been of great interest to critics, curators and its practitioners. The field of painting—like any other medium— has experienced low and high points. With the birth of Modernism, critics and painters alike began to question paintings foothold as the “premier” art form.3 Moreover, this time period saw the rapid decline of religion or history as a dominant theme in painting.4 The emergence of several important periods in painting: Expressionism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism to name some of the major movements, saw artists become more inward in their approaches to what they depicted. Expressionism, Dada and Surrealism began to look at expressing the inner workings and psychological makeup of the individual. Whereas in Abstract Expressionism and Minimalism the emphasis was on the illustration of one’s gesture or lack thereof. During these periods, critics and painters discussed the fate of painting; at times claiming that painting had reached its peak—that the end was near.5 Yet, somehow painting has never quite fallen into the abyss. Painting Is Dead?! is an exhibition that examines contemporary notions of painting. The premise and title of this exhibition is both a critique and question. Using the works
1 “The Death of Painting.” Moma.org. January 1, 1998. Accessed October 27, 2014. http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/1998/rodchenko/texts/ death_of_painting.html. 2 Coulter-Smith, Graham. “Quiddity.” Artintelligence. June 3, 2008. Accessed January 15, 2015. http://artintelligence.net/review/?p=798. 3 Crimp, Douglas. “The End of Painting.” JSTOR. Spring 1981. Accessed June 23, 2014. http://www.jstor.org/stable/778375. 4 Coulter-Smith, Graham. “Abstraction, Genius and the Decline of Painting.” Artintelligence. May 30, 2008. Accessed October 27, 2014. http://artintelligence. net/review/?p=789. 5 Saltz, Jerry. “Unpainted Paintings AFTER THE DRIPS.” Artnet Magazine. April 6, 2011. Accessed October 27, 2014. http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/featues/ saltz/upainted-paintings-at-luxembourg-dayan4-6-11.asp. AND Neal, Patrick. “Does Painting Still Matter?” Salon.com. April 28, 2013. Accessed January 15, 2015. http://www.salon.com/2013/04/28does_painting_still_matter_partner/.
Many thanks to the dedicated students who staff Figure One, with special thanks to Stephanie Birch, Eli Craven, Taekyeom Lee and Carolyn McCarrick.