Reinventing Abstraction: 1980s New York Painting Exhibition at Cheim & Read
From June 27 to August 30, 2013, the Cheim & Read gallery in New York City showcased 'Reinventing Abstraction: New York Painting in the 1980s,' curated by Raphael Rubinstein. This exhibition spotlighted fifteen artists, examining their works within their social contexts to steer clear of nostalgic reinterpretation. Rubinstein's essay in the catalog discussed 'impure abstraction,' critiquing prevailing narratives such as Neo-Expressionism. The exhibition traced the development of painting from the 1960s through the 1970s, drawing inspiration from 'High Times Hard Times: New York Painting 1967-1975.' Featured pieces included Jonathan Lasker's 'Double Play' (1987) and Mary Heilmann's 'Rio Nido' (1987), showcasing established artists blending traditional values with contemporary rhythms and highlighting the tangible nature of paint and the disruptive essence of abstraction.
Key facts
- Exhibition ran from June 27 to August 30, 2013
- Held at Cheim & Read gallery, 547 West 25th Street, New York City
- Curated by poet and critic Raphael Rubinstein
- Featured fifteen artists from 1980s New York painting scene
- Introduced term 'impure abstraction' for hybrid abstraction-figuration
- Reacted against Neo-Expressionism and Neo-Geo as marketing narratives
- Included works by Jonathan Lasker, David Reed, Mary Heilmann, Carroll Dunham, Bill Jensen, Gary Stephan, Thomas Nozkowski, Elizabeth Murray
- Acknowledged influence of earlier exhibition 'High Times Hard Times: New York Painting 1967-1975'
Entities
Artists
- Raphael Rubinstein
- Jonathan Lasker
- David Reed
- Mary Heilmann
- Carroll Dunham
- Bill Jensen
- Gary Stephan
- Thomas Nozkowski
- Elizabeth Murray
- Katie Siegel
- Jackson Pollock
- Van Gogh
- Paul Simon
- Beccafumi
Institutions
- Cheim & Read
- artcritical
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- 547 West 25th Street