Joan Semmel's 'In the Flesh' at the Jewish Museum
At the Jewish Museum in New York, 'Joan Semmel: In the Flesh' showcases a collection of 16 large-scale paintings that reflect the artist's journey from the 1970s to 2012. Born in 1932, Semmel initially explored Abstract Expressionism before shifting to innovative portrayals of female nudes, frequently using herself as a subject. Notable pieces include 'Sunlight' (1978) and 'Through the Object's Eye,' which challenge traditional perceptions of the female form. The triptych 'Mythologies and Me' features a blend of pornographic elements, a de Kooning-inspired figure, and a realistic central image. Additionally, Semmel curated 50 works from the museum's collection by artists such as Marc Chagall and Nan Goldin. The exhibition is open until May 31, 2026, at 1109 Fifth Avenue, with an essay by David Carrier, a former professor at Carnegie Mellon and a regular writer for Two Coats of Paint.
Key facts
- Joan Semmel's 'In the Flesh' is on view at the Jewish Museum, New York, through May 31, 2026.
- The exhibition features 16 large paintings from the 1970s to 2012.
- Semmel turned from Abstract Expressionism to unclichéd female nudes, using herself as a model.
- Works include 'Sunlight' (1978), 'Through the Object's Eye', 'Mythologies and Me' (1976), and 'Transitions' (2012).
- Semmel selected 50 artworks by artists including Ida Applebroog, Marc Chagall, Nan Goldin, Alice Neel, Man Ray, and Nancy Spero.
- The essay is by David Carrier, former Carnegie Mellon professor and contributor to Two Coats of Paint.
- The museum is located at 1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street, New York, NY.
- Semmel had difficulty attracting galleries in the 1970s and rented space near her studio to show her work.
Entities
Artists
- Joan Semmel
- Ida Applebroog
- Marc Chagall
- Nan Goldin
- David Levinthal
- Alice Neel
- Man Ray
- Larry Rivers
- Laurie Simmons
- Joan Snyder
- Nancy Spero
- Hannah Wilke
- Ernst Gombrich
- Peter Paul Rubens
- Albrecht Dürer
- Willem de Kooning
Institutions
- The Jewish Museum
- Artists Rights Society (ARS)
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Getty
- Apollo
- artcritical
- Artforum
- Artus
- Burlington Magazine
- The Brooklyn Rail
- Two Coats of Paint
Locations
- New York
- United States
- 1109 Fifth Avenue at 92nd Street
- New York, NY