David Reed's "Terrible Idea" at Rodder Pairs Paintings and Drawings from 2013 to 2026

David Reed's exhibition "Terrible Idea" at Rodder features an unusual combination of paintings and drawings from 2013 to 2026. He cites influences such as Barnett Newman, Piero della Francesca, and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, focusing on color interaction, layered transparencies, and figure-ground dynamics. Reed also draws inspiration from casual studio conversations and an email regarding a painting under development. In a 2010 Brooklyn Rail interview with John Yau, he characterized his canvases as process-oriented yet concealing that process, inspired by Milton Resnick's "studio paintings." Reed enjoys revisiting and reworking his pieces, which he believes keeps them open-ended. He refers to himself as a "bedroom painter," hoping his art resonates with viewers in a dreamlike state. Notable works include "#809" (2025–26), created with oil and acrylic on polyester.