“Without monsters and gods, art cannot enact a drama.” Mark Rothko
I love to see an all contemporary show and the crazy diversity of artistic expression as people endlessly, tirelessly respond to the world we’re living in through their work. It’s always a mixed bag for me- some pieces so exciting and others pretty blah. But that’s the subjective world of art we choose to hang around in, right? I’ve read a few reviews, and I am not alone in thinking that this piece by Janiva Ellis was one of the most striking and thought provoking in the show. It is addressing a current hot-button topic, but processed and spit back out through the extraordinary lens of this artist’s brain. I’m not going to comment on the politics or who the “monster” facilitating this drama might be- ahem…
Janiva Ellis, Uh oh, Look Who Got Wet, 2019
Strolling through this highly curated exhibit, I’m always struck thinking about all the amazing artists whose work doesn’t make it into the museum. This piece reminded me of two other visionaries in our midst who are deserving of a place amongst the most interesting contemporary artists I know- Alex Mollere and Jim Graham. Mark Rothko also said “The dark is always on the top.” Without the sinister edge, none of these beautiful paintings would be as intriguing, and maybe nor would the world we live in. See what you think…..(and by all means Google these guys.) Maybe one day you will see them hanging at the Whitney, and you can say you saw them first on this blog!
Alex Mollere, Fight!, 2016
Jim Graham, Untitled, 2015