Margaret Curtis Debuts New Paintings at Post Times, New York

Post Times in New York showcases 'S, an exhibition featuring new paintings and paper works by Margaret Curtis, marking her first solo presentation in the city since 2003 at P·P·O·W. The artworks illustrate vast landscapes populated by oversized figures crafted from neon signs and plywood billboards, incorporating American symbols such as sheriff stars, cowboy hats, and Uncle Sam's legs. Through delicate scaffolding, Curtis examines gender politics and national identity. A recurring Photoshop transparency grid critiques the myths surrounding American expansion. In 'Collapse', a woman's tears penetrate the earth; 'Self Made Man' depicts a figure in Uncle Sam trousers tipping over an oil spill. The title piece 'S' entombs Uncle Sam beneath debris, accented by a neon possessive apostrophe. Curtis has included ash from the 2022 Hermit's Peak Fire in New Mexico, the largest wildfire in the state, gathered from her extensive journey in El Porvenir Canyon. Born in 1965 in Bermuda, she earned a BA from Duke University and a BFA from Atlanta College of Art. Her works have appeared at P·P·O·W, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, and Tracey Morgan Gallery, and have been featured in Artforum, The New York Times, and Harper's. Curtis resides in Tryon, North Carolina, and Las Vegas, New Mexico.