Katherine Bradford's 'Friends and Strangers' Exhibition at CANADA Explores Ambiguity in Figure Painting

The exhibition 'Friends and Strangers' by Katherine Bradford took place at the CANADA gallery in New York City from September 14 to October 21, 2018. It showcased eleven paintings created that year, ranging in size from 4 x 5 feet to 6½ x 11 feet, each featuring at least one figure. Bradford's figures often present vague facial characteristics, leading to ambiguity regarding gender, race, and sexuality, which complicates how viewers interpret human connections. This exhibition diverges from her previous works that had cohesive themes, emphasizing large figures and color field abstraction. Key pieces include 'Water Lady,' 'Yellow Dress,' and 'Couple No Shirts,' which challenge traditional gender interpretations. Bradford's approach encourages an exploration of identity and relationships, balancing specific representation with broader themes.