Kristan Kennedy's T.R.N.T. Painting Exhibited at Soloway Gallery in 2014

Kristan Kennedy's 2014 painting T.R.N.T. was displayed at Soloway Gallery in Brooklyn. Measuring 48 by 73 inches, the work incorporates sumi, dye, gesso, aluminum, and enamel on linen. Kennedy, an artist based in Portland, employs a distinctive process involving staining and collaging on linen sheets with various materials before subjecting them to a washing machine. This method introduces aleatory aging effects with feminist implications. The resulting artworks exhibit a weathered, brushy appearance and are presented unstretched and loose. Some pieces are draped over a brass armature that extends from the wall into the gallery space. T.R.N.T. features a splayed diptych format with a tenuous connection at its base. One section displays dense black lines reminiscent of ruled notebook paper, while another shows curving gestures on a yellow field. The painting's drooping form contributes to its sensuous and languid quality. Kennedy's mark-making shows Expressionist influences but avoids Romantic melodrama, favoring exuberance and snarky fun. The exhibition press release notably stated, 'All the paintings have been made, even the embarrassing ones.' The show was reviewed by Noah Dillon on June 12, 2014.