Emma Fineman Debuts Queer Joy Paintings at Alexander Berggruen
Emma Fineman's first solo show at Alexander Berggruen in New York, on view through June 24, 2026, presents 18 paintings exploring queer identity, self-actualization, and Christian mythology. The artist, who recently came out as a lesbian, reinterprets the Book of Genesis to celebrate desire rather than shame. Works like Lambda (RYB) and Birdsong incorporate symbols of gay liberation and personal transformation. The exhibition coincides with the Trump administration removing gay flags from the Stonewall Monument. Fineman's sister, SNL cast member Chloe Fineman, discusses their shared creative processes and the importance of levity in art.
Key facts
- Emma Fineman's first solo show at Alexander Berggruen in New York runs through June 24, 2026.
- The exhibition features 18 paintings that explore queer identity and self-actualization.
- Fineman draws from Christian mythology, particularly the Book of Genesis, to reframe Eve as a victor of desire.
- The artist came out as a lesbian after previously identifying as bisexual since 2014.
- Lambda (RYB) references the Greek letter lambda, a symbol of gay liberation, and evokes Matisse's The Dance.
- Birdsong is a portrait created in a trance-like state, representing joy after coming out.
- Chloe Fineman, Emma's sister and SNL cast member, contributed to the creative process.
- The show addresses the removal of gay flags from the Stonewall Monument by the Trump administration.
Entities
Artists
- Emma Fineman
- Chloe Fineman
- Sholto Blissett
- Madeline Peckenpaugh
- Philip Guston
- Henri Matisse
- Nicolas Poussin
- Gigi Hadid
Institutions
- Alexander Berggruen
- Saturday Night Live
- Hauser & Wirth
- CULTURED
Locations
- New York
- United States
- London
- United Kingdom
- San Francisco
- California
- Stonewall Monument