Contemporary Portraiture: Redefining the Figure

2 Nov

November 2020
Curated by Erika b Hess

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

“Contemporary portraiture: Redefining the Figure” is an exhibit centered around the human form. Portraiture has traditionally been utilized as a medium to capture and replicate the likeness or expression of a person, yet this age old art form has evolved tremendously since its origins - from DaVinci’s anatomical drawings to visually striking portraits by contemporary painter Amy Sherald. In this online exhibit, we will be exhibiting a wide range of work including representational and abstract interpretations, as well as work by artists who seek to redefine or challenge the genre of portraiture.

NOTE FROM THE CURATOR

“Portraiture is a timeless form of art that seeks to capture and communicate a person’s life experience. Historically portraiture has been used to record not only what a person looked like physically, but also the circumstances and context of their life: the things they cherished most in this world, their hobbies, profession, and of course their social status.

Initially, subjects of portraits were members of the elite who had the time and wealth to commission a portrait. Over the centuries, portraiture has expanded to include images of working people, middle-class families, and minorities, thus operating as a broader inquiry into the human condition. As portraiture evolves, it speaks to inclusivity and marks historical moments of change. Right now portraiture is extremely important and at the forefront of societal protesting. As the destruction of Confederate portrait monuments during protests became a significant symbol of dissent, we see just how powerful a portrait can be.

For this exhibition, I sought to include work that spanned media and approach while speaking to contemporary issues. From collaged pieces containing imagery from multiple people that remind us of fractured personalities in the time of social media to portraits of people in masks. Embroidered portraits link the feminine and political while exploring inclusivity and race. Some work depicts quiet moments among families at home while other work imagines the internal view of futuristic cyborgs. Portraiture is having a resurgence as it intimately comments on representation during a time of upheaval and change. “

— Erika b Hess, Artist, Curator & Host of the “I Like Your Work” Podcast