James Jean & Nick Cave

While I was gone, two amazing shows opened on 20th St. I managed to catch them before the curtain is drawn.

James Jean's works were much more sensual in real life--I loved his works for Fables, but these personal works were just amazing.
It was great to see both the finished paintings and the study drawings. Such beautiful brushworks! Flowing lines and layers and layers of luminous volumes. I've rarely seen such disciplined sense of design and composition, as in his study drawings which were done on letter-sized copy paper, if I saw correctly.
My friend found the less controlled style of his, such as in his corner paintings and the paitning of a blue tree-horse, very interesting. From the exhibited works, it seemed there is a significant distance between the gestural and the developed sides. I'm much more used to and fond with the latter, but it would be great to see if he can bridge the styles.

Since my friend was not feeling too good, we decided to skip other galleries in the building for today. But as we walked East, we passed by Jack Shainman where we saw paintings and photographs in December. (We didn't really like them--slightly unpleasant spectacles)

Saw this on the gallery window.

This friend of mine was who I had spent 4 hours with in Met's African Art wing, on a cold day of last December. This exhibition "Recent Soundsuits" by Nick Cave, simply blew us! We loved his take on the African ceremonial costumes, served neatly in fashion context. I can only imagine, and would love to hear the sounds these suits make.
I enjoyed the 5 sculptures near the entrance of the gallery which bridges to the more political pieces in the other room. However in form and design the soundsuits were more grasping for me.

The overlapping of different patterns and repetition of beautiful forms--beads, flowers and birds, were very exotic. The synthetic fur felt alien, and seemd to arouse some primal fear in my friend. I loved the collection, which felt like costumes and fashion for those who are past everyday human. Some aliens, or supreme beings.


Despite the cold walk to and from the gallery block, I feel so giddy and happy!