Martha Diamond's Bright Brush Paintings at Sue Scott Gallery
From June 20 to July 27, 2012, Martha Diamond showcased a fresh collection at Sue Scott Gallery, comprising more than twenty small oil paintings on board created over the past two years. Utilizing flat, square-headed brushes, she crafted patterns resembling checkerboards and shadowy figures. While recognized for her neo-expressionist cityscapes, Diamond ventured into abstraction, moving away from clear architectural references. She personally arranged the exhibit, displaying the artworks in intentionally skewed groupings. Her technique evolved to direct painting, initiating with white backgrounds and black paint. The Church series transitioned from the transparent washes of Church I to the sophistication of Church VI. Pieces like Philosophe and Conversation highlighted her technical skill, while Radio City captured the essence of iconic skyscrapers.
Key facts
- Exhibition ran from June 20 to July 27, 2012
- Featured more than two dozen small oils on board
- Martha Diamond used bright brushes for spatulate marks
- Show installed by the artist with off-kilter groupings
- Shift from wet-on-wet to direct painting technique
- Church series progressed from transparent washes to pure forms
- Works included Philosophe, Conversation, Blue 1, and Radio City
- Diamond described the change as "the big-time change"
Entities
Artists
- Martha Diamond
Institutions
- Sue Scott Gallery
- artcritical
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- 1 Rivington Street
- Bowery