Vegas wheelchair lady

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on June 4, 2011 at 6:42pm

Curator’s Comment:

 

Perhaps the title helps to invoke a disabled or compromised character, but there's something inherently strained about this portrait.  The thin neck and androgynous features seem to gainsay what appears to be a pink bow tying back her hair.  This work reminds me of John Currin's portraits of women with exaggerated features, or his paintings that actually include prosthetic equipment.  There’s an anxious quality to this work, more so than in most of your other works, as the subjects’ gaze is directed away from the viewer rather than straightforward confrontation.  The broad forehead and narrow eyes focus her attention off of the picture plain, and the gesture of her mouth further suggests discomfort or distress.  Technically, the enhanced local color and hatched lines skillfully add to the intrinsic tension.  The exclusion of an environment asks the viewer to contemplate her expression for a longer period, adding to the voyeuristic experience.