Amy Sillman, Williamsburg Portraits, 1991 -92, ink, gouache, pencil on paper 11 x 8 in. each
From the Press Release:
During a recent studio visit with Katherine Bradford, we were looking at her work for our upcoming exhibition and discussing our frustration about how painting was not represented in the recent survey show at the Brooklyn Museum, entitled, “Crossing Brooklyn: Art from Bushwick, Bed-Stuy and Beyond”. We looked at each other and said (I don’t remember who said it first), “Brooklyn is the painting capital of the world”. Yep, there it is, it’s out there. During one of our conversations, Irving Sandler toldme that at this moment there are more painters and more painters with serious studio practices in Brooklyn than in any place in the world, and many of the most important contemporary galleries and museum shows feature works by Brooklyn painters.
Part II of Back to the Future will focus on some of the painters who were working in Williamsburg in the early 1980s (many of whom were friends): Peter Acheson, Katherine Bradford, Rick Briggs, Bill Jensen, Margrit Lewczuk, Chris Martin, Joyce Pensato, James Siena and Amy Sillman, who are also among the most influential and critically-acclaimed painters working today. They influenced the next two generations of Brooklyn painters, which layed the groundwork for the area to become this nexus, this hotbed - the center and focus for painting in the 21st century, while continuing to attract painters from all over the country and the world.
These painters all had different career trajectories, but their work has constantly developed and continues to evolve, even during decades when painting was not considered relevant in many art-world circles. Their painting practices are built on the authentic and uncompromising love of painting; the life it creates, the process of personal discovery revealed through the work, and the commitment, sacrifice, and discipline required for its practice. This commitment has produced work of great power, beauty and originality, which simultaneously embraces the history of painting and extends its language going forward.
We are grateful for their support and participation and to be part of this painting community.
Michael David
February 2015
Back to the Future II
with work by: Peter Acheson, Katherine Bradford, Rick Briggs, Bill Jensen, Margrit Lewczuk, Chris Martin, Joyce Pensato, James Siena, and Amy Sillman
Opening: Friday, February 20, 6 - 9 PM
February 20 - March 15, 2015
56 Bogart Street
Brooklyn, NY 11206
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