Julian Schnabel's 'Big Girl Paintings' at Gagosian Gallery Critiqued for Omitted Eyes and Amateur Style

Julian Schnabel's exhibition, 'Big Girl Paintings,' ran at Gagosian Gallery in New York from March 14 to April 20, 2002. It featured six large-scale paintings and one sculpture, with sizes ranging from 10 to 13 feet tall and 9 to 12 feet wide. The inspiration came from a photo of a blonde girl found in a thrift store. Each artwork had a drippy paint band covering the eyes, using wax and oil for a naïve effect. While the press release mentioned a focus on the paintings' formal qualities, a critic argued this choice diminished their emotional depth. The critique also pointed out weak color choices and insensitivity in the forms. Additionally, the exhibition included the sculpture 'Ahab' (2002) and 'Anno Domini' (1990), both receiving unfavorable reviews.