Amy Hill's 'Young and Innocent' exhibition reimagines 19th-century American folk portraits with contemporary branding

From April 15 to May 22, 2016, Front Room Gallery showcased Amy Hill's exhibition titled 'Young and Innocent,' which included 16 oil paintings that reimagine 19th-century American folk portraits. The Brooklyn artist substitutes conventional symbols with contemporary consumer goods such as iPods and Lego bricks. Drawing inspiration from the works of Joseph Goodhue Chandler, Hill refreshes details while preserving their eerie essence. In her piece Girl with Lego Dog, a pink lily transforms into an iPod, and the dog is represented as a Lego creation. Additionally, Two Boys reinvents Susan Catherine Moore Waters' 1845 painting Brothers, incorporating modern props and urban landscapes. Hill's art resonates with Thomas McEvilley's 1984 essay, examining identity through consumer symbols while honoring historical portraiture.