Squeak Carnwath and the Enduring Power of Painting
John Yau’s recent review in Hyperallergic highlights a critical question facing contemporary art: can painting remain relevant in a world saturated with fresh media? The work of Squeak Carnwath, currently exhibited at Jane Lombard Gallery in her show Goddess of All, offers a compelling answer. Carnwath actively rejects the idea that painting is a spent force, capable only of broken gestures. Her work, as Yau notes, seeks to be “expansive” within the medium’s long history.
A Legacy Overlooked?
Despite a career spanning decades, Carnwath remains surprisingly absent from the collections of major institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Modern Art. Yau suggests this may be due to her steadfast commitment to oil painting and her resistance to simple categorization within established art movements like Bay Area figurative painting or the Funk movement. This raises a broader point about the art world’s tendency to prioritize work that aligns with current curatorial agendas – be they political, topical, or focused on specific types of abstraction.
Motifs and Meaning in Carnwath’s Work
Carnwath’s paintings are characterized by a recurring visual vocabulary. Motifs like LP records (representing the singularity of life), sinking ships (inevitable disaster), and classical imagery (Venus de Milo, Roman busts) are layered with text and abstract patterns. These elements aren’t merely decorative; they function as a kind of visual language, prompting reflection on themes of history, mortality, and the human condition. The addition of silhouettes – Degas’s “The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer,” the Statue of Liberty, and a crowned figure – introduces a consideration of idealized female representations.
The Power of Layering and Paradox
Yau emphasizes the importance of layering in Carnwath’s work, describing how images and text are superimposed, creating a surface that feels like a repository for fragments of culture and experience. This approach reflects a key aspect of her artistic vision: a willingness to embrace paradox. Carnwath continues to champion the possibilities of paint and painting even as she acknowledges the turbulent state of the world. Her paintings, as Yau observes, operate under “the deep paradox of her commitment to paint and painting, even as she lives in a world that is spiraling out of control.”
The Future of Painting: A Continued Dialogue
Carnwath’s work isn’t an isolated case. It’s part of a larger conversation about the enduring relevance of painting in the 21st century. Several trends suggest that painting isn’t going anywhere, but is instead evolving in response to contemporary challenges.
Figurative Painting’s Resurgence
Even as abstraction dominated much of the 20th century, figurative painting has experienced a significant resurgence in recent years. Artists are returning to representational forms, often with a focus on personal narratives, identity, and social commentary. This trend reflects a desire for connection and meaning in a fragmented world.
Hybridity and Interdisciplinarity
Many contemporary painters are blurring the boundaries between painting and other disciplines, such as sculpture, installation, and digital art. This hybridity allows artists to explore new forms of expression and challenge traditional notions of what painting can be.
The Digital Influence
The rise of digital technologies is similarly influencing painting. Some artists are incorporating digital tools into their process, while others are exploring the relationship between the physical and virtual realms in their work. This can involve using digital imagery as a source material, creating paintings that mimic digital aesthetics, or even developing interactive painting experiences.
A Focus on Materiality
In an increasingly digital world, there’s a growing appreciation for the materiality of painting. Artists are experimenting with different materials, textures, and techniques to create works that are tactile and visually engaging. This emphasis on materiality underscores the unique qualities of painting as a physical object.
FAQ
Q: Is painting still a relevant art form?
A: Absolutely. As Squeak Carnwath’s work demonstrates, painting continues to offer a powerful means of expression and a unique way of engaging with the world.
Q: What are some key themes in contemporary painting?
A: Common themes include identity, social commentary, personal narratives, and the relationship between the physical and digital realms.
Q: How is technology influencing painting?
A: Technology is influencing painting in various ways, from the use of digital tools in the creative process to the exploration of digital aesthetics and interactive experiences.
Q: Where can I see Squeak Carnwath’s work?
A: Her exhibition, Goddess of All, is on view at Jane Lombard Gallery in New York City through February 28, 2026.
Pro Tip: Explore the work of other contemporary painters who are pushing the boundaries of the medium, such as Cecily Brown, Rashid Johnson, and Amy Sillman.
Did you know? The Oakland Museum of California organized an in-depth examination of Carnwath’s work, titled Painting Is No Ordinary Object, in 2009.
Interested in learning more about contemporary art? Visit Hyperallergic for insightful reviews, articles, and interviews.
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