ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Craig Manister's Figurative Turn in Landscape Paintings at The Painting Center

exhibition · 2026-04-22

From October 27 to November 21, 2009, The Painting Center hosted Craig Manister's exhibition, highlighting his evolving approach to landscape painting. His artwork features dynamic angular brushstrokes and vibrant colors that echo the early style of Georges Seurat before his shift to pointillism. While Seurat leaned towards abstraction, Manister's creations hint at figuration without directly depicting landscapes, incorporating symbolic imagery such as lollipop trees and breadbox houses. A prominent theme is the 'keyhole' figure, which appears cartoonish and graphic against realistic backdrops. Noteworthy pieces include 'Figures with Bridge' (2008) and 'Large Figures with Tree and Mountain' (2009). Manister's artistic journey began in the 1970s, influenced by abstract expressionists Milton Resnick and Pat Passlof, with the exhibition located at 52 Greene Street, 2nd Floor, New York City.

Key facts

  • Craig Manister's exhibition ran from October 27 to November 21, 2009
  • The exhibition was held at The Painting Center, 52 Greene Street, 2nd Floor, New York City
  • Manister's recent paintings show a movement toward figuration in landscape works
  • His early influences include abstract expressionists Milton Resnick and Pat Passlof
  • Key motifs include 'keyhole' figures that appear as both solids and voids
  • Paintings reference artists like Georges Seurat, Picasso, André Derain, Carlo Carrà, Nicolas Poussin, and Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
  • Specific works mentioned: 'Figures with Bridge' (2008), 'Large Figures with Tree and Mountain' (2009), 'Figure and Houses with Reflections' (2009)
  • Manister began his career in the 1970s and has evolved over the last decade toward figuration

Entities

Artists

  • Craig Manister
  • Milton Resnick
  • Pat Passlof
  • Thornton Willis
  • Stuart Hitch
  • Georges Seurat
  • Picasso
  • André Derain
  • Carlo Carrà
  • Nicolas Poussin
  • Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

Institutions

  • The Painting Center
  • artcritical

Locations

  • New York City
  • United States
  • 52 Greene Street

Sources