This amazing painting (which looks far better on the wall than it does as a jpeg) was recently featured in “Ocketopia” a group show curated by Austin Thomas at Lesley Heller Gallery. Although Simon’s studio is in Bushwick, he isn’t officially participating in the Bushwick Open Studios this weekend, but if you send him a note and tell him you’re in the neighborhood, I’m sure he’d be happy to give you a tour. Also check out today’s video on the Two Coats Video Channel, which features a 2009 conversation with Simon and Loren Munk of the James Kalm Report. Simon talks about how his old job as a magazine production artist influenced his painting.
I am three thousand miles away from Bushwick and while I'd respect your opinion of this painting I cannot understand your infatuation with it. jpegs are usefull but they are inadequate when trying to comprehend the nuance of a brushstroke, etc.
Nuance aside and as an educational moment,could you explain, conceptually perhaps, what it was that you found to be amazing in a painting that appears to me to be rather simplistic?
If money were no issue, I'd probably hop on a plane just for the fun and to satisfy my own curiosity. Thanks in advance.
I enjoy this painting. I do wonder what it looks like at close range, but it's graphic quality translates well on-line. The fragmented figures are mysterious, to me, and are just so out of symmetry. Classic design formalities are at work, and the palette is pleasing. Compositionally, it reminds me of those ol' pictures of the vase and/or two faces looking at one another….. what do you see??
Great post!
Thank you Mr. Mellen. What was simplistic to me was multidimensional to you and your response served as an insight into another person's ability to look and to see.I'd wonder if the moderator of this blog would allow an explanation of "classic design formalities"(for the purposes of this painting, of course)